It was a spectacle: Traditional and modern Khmer and Chinese music enraptured as hundreds of dancers took to the stage in elaborate costumes—and with literally flying colors as a pair of acrobats spun above the stage.

The Minnesota Orchestra announced Thursday that it will play two concerts in Cuba in May in what's believed to be the first major cultural exchange between the two countries since their leaders announced a move toward warmer relations.

The myriad emotions that Bollywood  evokes and the chord it strikes across the border undeniably makes cinema the glue that binds people, transcending barriers of culture, geography, even a chequered past. 

China plans to spend 360 million yuan (HK$454 million) on expanding its overseas cultural centres this year - nearly double last year's amount - amid government efforts to bolster its soft power abroad. But observers are sceptical whether the centres, which are different from the Confucius Institutes, can improve the nation's image overseas, especially given similar efforts have attracted criticism.

As the Spring Festival holiday approaches, CCTV 4, China's international channel, plans to provide a special TV feast aimed at both domestic and overseas Chinese-speaking audiences.

2015 is the first ever Year of Cultural Exchange between China and the UK, marking a high-point in relations. Throughout the year, the very best of UK culture will be showcased in China, and Chinese culture in the UK.

As a way of celebrating decades of relationship between China and the UAE while also marking the Chinese new year falling on February 19, a cultural event was held on Tuesday by the Chinese Consulate General in Dubai and Dubai Culture and Arts Authority.