History
International Exhibition Projects in Reshaping the US International Image (1953-1960)
Yang Jianguo • 110 •
Cutting-edge industrial technologies were seen as the cream of the crop of the most valued, most visible “hard power” in the battle of overall strength between the two camps during the Cold War. Likewise, prosperous culture and art were regarded as important manifestations of institutional superiority as well as national advancement. In addition, exhibitions displaying social lives were viewed showcases of “freedom and prosperity” enjoyed by people in the US. The Eisenhower administration advocated such “triumvirate” in planning international exhibitions to counter penetration of the USSR. The international exhibition projects directed by the US, with “American Dream” as the dream and the ideological core featured in two kinds: one on industrial achievement and scientific and technological advancement and one on arts and social lives. Despite the various variety and novelty, such exhibitions were all subject to the criteria and at the service of the paramount goals of countering USSR publicity and improving the US international image.
Book Review
Telling the China Story Through Media Diplomacy — Book Review of Media Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
Gong Xiaozhe • 117 •
Media diplomacy is a major part of public diplomacy. At present, with deepening globalization and enormous transformation of Chinese society, media diplomacy holds more and more importance for a growingly internationalized China. Media Diplomacy: Theory and Practice (Lu Jiayi, published by China University of Communication Press in July 2016) defines media diplomacy and presents a whole picture of its structure and communication elements from the perspective of communication studies. The book tries to set up a research framework corresponding to the three levels of media diplomacy, and also expounds on the four effects of media diplomacy. Through vivid case studies, the book analyzes the paradigm of studies on media diplomacy, therefore holding realistic significance for breaking the bottleneck in current research on public diplomacy and international communication.
