Foreign Language use by Country Leaders

Changing perceptions in using the English language - Taiwan's latest President is a Harvard Graduate and speaks excellent English. It seems there is a bit of a controversy of him speaking directly to foreigners, instead of using English. My guess is there is just a bit of politics in this (Election was bitter). The Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd speaks Chinese. Many leaders will use translators even though they know English, as a way to gain additional time during negotiations. Many Russian leaders were known to do this.

And a surprising change in how China's leadership communicates with Western Reporters - seismic shift in China’s relations with West where many foreign reporters accompanied the Chinese Prime Minister to the earthquake damaged area.