Coordinator for the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Information Programs (IIP) Dawn McCall is scheduled to visit Taiwan on Tuesday to experience first-hand US public diplomacy outreach, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) announced yesterday.

Inviting young Pacific islanders to a two-week Taiwan study camp is very much in line with President Ma Ying-jeou’s cultural diplomacy started in 2010 to highlight Taiwan’s soft power. This was stated by the Director-General of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, Mr James C.K Tien during his remarks to welcome 28 Pacific Islands’ participants that make up Taiwan’s allies from the Pacific at a welcome reception at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reception hall in Taipei.

Second, the Study Camp is targeting the right demographics - the movers and shakers who may also be opinion leaders. Public diplomacy often works best through local authoritative figures, and provided the politicians and media are trusted in these societies...then they are in a strong position to mediate information and opinion on behalf of Taiwan.

Kevin Wang, another student said: "I can't imagine that I can fly 26 hours through half earth to The Gambia, and interact with students. The whole Africa is a secret and strange place to us. I'm looking forward to experience local culture and different lifestyle. I hope we can show them Taiwanese culture during the two weeks, and be friends even after this activity is over."

A group of representatives from Taiwan's diplomatic allies in the Pacific is visiting Taiwan to learn more about the country's development, as part of Taiwan's cultural diplomacy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

The 2012 Taiwan Study Camp for Future Leaders of Pacific Allies, aiming to promote Taiwan’s cultural diplomacy and demonstrate its soft power, kicked off July 9 in Taipei, according to event-organizer the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Taiwan's overseas medical missions are a projection of the nation's soft power, Foreign Minister Timothy Yang said Wednesday at a meeting held to encourage hospitals to take part in international humanitarian projects.

Young people from West Asian countries were impressed by Taiwan's soft power, including its achievements in organic farming and heritage preservation, after visiting the country on a 10-day trip, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Tuesday.