Intended to boost China’s “soft power”, the centres take the name of the peace-espousing sage. They tap into growing global demand for Chinese-language teaching. But they are also fuelling anxiety about academic freedom.

Passionate about cooking, the dynamic chef Adam Szczechura is a connoisseur of culinary arts from across the globe. With 15 years of professional experience, he brings with him extensive knowledge of world cuisines and culinary techniques as well. 

On the morning of September 8, Harvard University celebrated what school President Drew Gilpin Faust called an historic moment after it received a $350 million gift from a wealthy Hong Kong family. The gift, to the Harvard School of Public Health, is the largest ever in the university's 378 years of history. It may sound like a victory for Chinese soft power, but many Chinese netizens are angry that the money isn't being directed toward domestic concerns.

The EU’s sanctions on Russia are not having their desired effect. At least in the short term, they even appear to be reinforcing Russia’s position. The EU policy approach to the Ukraine situation needs to factor in the mainstream Russian media narrative. Doing so suggests that the EU should be using more soft power.

Plans for the two phased project, which will cover an area of 65 square kilometres in Jebel Ali, was unveiled to His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, over the weekend. With the vision behind Dubai's aviation master plan now crystallised, the city's entire economy is set to benefit significantly.

rom joint collaboration to single window clearance - an Indian delegation would be showcasing the country's "soft power" at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival.  India and Canada had recently signed an Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement, which enables Indian and Canadian film producers to collaborate on various facets of filmmaking.

While refugees poured across the border to China telling stories of starvation and torture, in the other direction — thanks to the merchants — came foreign films, television shows and music stored on DVDs and USBs, a link to the prosperity and ways of the outside world. These shifts gave rise to North Korea’s very own millennials, a generation born in the 1990s who are independent, pragmatic and less politically attached than their predecessors, says Park. They’re also known as the “Black Market Generation.”