Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt said here Friday that she expects to further develop the strong relationship between Denmark and China not only economically, but also enhance people-to-people links.

Formerly derided as the domain of time-wasting and self-obsession, social media has emerged as an unlikely shining light for international relations and social activism.

Power, in the globalised world of the 21st century, is clearly played out through trade relations – the rise of China, for example, or the success of Germany. The EU exists above all for prosperity and soft power, not the cry of war.

What does the movie The Interview have in common with a 2,700-year-old Persian drinking cup? Each demonstrates the powerful role that art and culture can play in international affairs, and each had global implications that the creators may not have envisioned.

The UK is preparing to show off the best of its culture in a year of exchange agreed upon during the UK-China Summit in London last year.  The 2015 UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange will comprise two ‘seasons’ of culture – a UK season in China in the first half of 2015 and a China season in the UK in the second half of 2015.