Sino-African relations have garnered a great deal of public interest in recent decades. Commentary tends to focus on trade, economic investment and aid and is often negative in tone. Based on interviews I conducted in Benin in early 2015, culture is perceived as the most positive aspect of the relationship. Cultural exchange is a crucial domain of interaction, and one in which China is investing heavily.

Once again, the NFL is thinking global. On Monday night, the Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders meet for a game in Mexico City at Estadio Azteca. The game comes a little more than 11 years after the league had its first regular season game outside of the United States, which also took place in Mexico City [...] But it also comes at a time when relations between the two countries, and U.S. relationships with many other foreign leaders, is uncertain.

The Government has taken a new initiative to create a Film Promotion Fund to promote Indian cinema in the International Film Festivals. This initiative would help independent filmmakers to promote their work across the globe. The Government efforts to project India as a soft power and filming destination has been a win-win situation so far, in terms of attracting global stakeholders from various quarters of film industry to India as well as Indian films, expertise and talent being accepted globally at international festivals.

“The cultural exchange is so important for finding commonalities and learning about differences, traditions and every day life, and you really become more immersed in the cultural than you would by just reading about it,” West said. “We have members from Iowa, Minnesota — people really want to support the connection to Ireland.”

The Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art (TMoCA) is showcasing a collection of works by Iranian and Arab modern artists in an exhibition titled “The Sea Suspended. [...] features artists from around the Arab world, including Egypt, Iraq, North Africa, the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula. [...] This is the first time that an exhibition of Arab art from the modern period has been showcased in Iran.

UK students will be able to enjoy a meal while listening to some of UKCI’s Chinese cultural programming, as well as network with other fellow students who are also interested in Chinese life and culture. The reception will feature different activities for all the guests including Chinese games, Chinese costumes, a guzheng and dulcimer performance, and a catered Chinese dinner.

Next month New York’s David Geffen Hall will welcome a visiting orchestra, on a tour including other top venues in Los Angeles and San Francisco. But the guest orchestra is not the Berlin Philharmonic or one of Europe’s other esteemed ensembles. It is the China Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), which was founded in Beijing a mere 16 years ago.