First ladies' soft power

It's smart for the first ladies to promote domestic brands by displaying home-made products on diplomatic occasions, as this will boost their countries' image and enhance soft power, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

Accompanying her husband Xi Jin-ping on his trip to Europe, Peng Liyuan was spotted taking photos with a Nubia smartphone designed by ZTE, which is based in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. It is not the first time Peng has promoted Chinese brands while accompanying her husband on official visits. Most of her dresses, accessories as well as the gifts she gives during such trips are made-in-China products.

Also, foreign dress codes can be applied to the first lady's outfit to show respect to the country she visits. For instance, Michelle Obama met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an Indian-style outfit, and when she visit-ed China she wore clothes with Chinese elements, which added local color to her public diplomacy.

The title of first lady is not an official title, but the first ladies can always play a special role in boosting the image of their countries. Peng taking photos with a Chinese made phone not only gives publicity to the product and the brand, it also contains unique cultural connotations that boost the country's soft power.

Research must be transparent

Hainan's provincial agriculture bureau has admitted that some companies and scientific research institutions planted genetically modified crops in Hainan without authorization at the end of 2013, violating the country's regulations for genetically modified organisms. The local government should raise its transparency particularly in such sensitive matters, says an article in Beijing Times. Excerpts:

Debates over GM food have been going on for many years, involving not only the matter of safety, but also the transparency of the research. The scientific test data shows GM food is trustworthy, and, in reality, the fierce criticism of GM foods is related to profit-driven GM technology promotion and violations of consumers' right to know.

Some companies and institutions secretly conduct GM crop experiments, and such tests will undermine consumers' trust in GM foods, which will not only hinder the overall promotion of GM research, but also curb other controversial experiments. Even though GM technology is harmless, the public will still panic easily if they think research is being done secretly or illegally, in which case they naturally think something is being covered up.

In Hainan's case, the local agricultural authorities' delay in disclosing information to the public has dealt a blow to credibility of the local GM food projects.

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(China Daily USA 04/08/2014 page12)