Xi Jinping has hosted more than a dozen leaders this year, as ‘middle powers’ look beyond the US
Xi Jinping's Diplomatic Outreach Expands as Global South Nations Seek Alternatives to the US
Xi Jinping has hosted more than - Over the past several months, Chinese President Xi Jinping has welcomed more than a dozen international leaders to Beijing, solidifying his nation’s position as a central player in global diplomacy. This year’s flurry of visits includes Bangladesh’s newly elected prime minister, Tarique Rahman, who met with Xi on Friday. The engagement underscores China’s growing appeal to leaders seeking to diversify their geopolitical alliances, particularly in light of the United States’ shifting priorities and perceived unpredictability.
Xi’s interactions with foreign leaders have taken on renewed significance as he actively promotes a multipolar world order. The latest meeting with Rahman follows a high-profile visit from Myanmar’s military chief-turned-president, Min Aung Hlaing, just two weeks earlier. This sequence highlights China’s strategic efforts to strengthen ties with nations that are increasingly critical of Western dominance. In May, Xi hosted leaders from the US, Russia, Brunei, Serbia, Tajikistan, and Pakistan, while also engaging foreign ministers from various countries in bilateral talks.
Rebalancing Global Power Dynamics
Analysts suggest that the accumulation of these diplomatic engagements reflects a deliberate campaign to realign global power structures. William Yang, a senior analyst at the International Crisis Group, noted,
"The long list of world leaders travelling to Beijing to meet with Xi reflects the growing recognition of China’s increasing global influence."
Many of the visiting leaders, including Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney, have framed their trips as opportunities to assert independence from the US, which has been seen as a more erratic superpower in recent years.
China is positioning itself as a stabilizing force, offering economic support and diplomatic backing to nations wary of US policies. This is particularly relevant for countries in the Global South, which have historically sought alliances with larger economies. Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at Soas University of London, observed,
"Engagement with less glamorous leaders from less rich countries is very much what the strategy is about."
Tsang argues that Xi’s approach aims to shift power dynamics from advanced democracies to the Global South, with China at the forefront of this movement.
Ja Ian Chong, a professor at the National University of Singapore and non-resident scholar at Carnegie China, explained that Beijing’s acceptance of the Myanmar military’s rule is a key part of this strategy.
"This approach can be viewed as part of Xi’s wider project to influence international order so 'no country has a right to tell others how to manage their own domestic affairs,'"
Chong added. The visit by Min Aung Hlaing, who has faced international criticism for overseeing alleged war crimes in Myanmar, symbolizes China’s willingness to engage with regimes that align with its geopolitical interests.
From Diplomatic Signals to Practical Influence
China’s diplomatic efforts have extended to nations with contrasting political systems, demonstrating a flexible approach to global leadership. Earlier this month, Xi adopted a similar strategy during a rare overseas trip to North Korea, where he met with Kim Jong-un. Despite prior vocal opposition to North Korea’s nuclear program, the nuclear issue was conspicuously absent from the meeting’s official summaries. This silence was interpreted as Beijing’s tacit approval of North Korea’s nuclear status, prioritizing stability in bilateral relations over contentious debates.
Chinese state media has amplified this narrative, framing Beijing as the new nucleus of international diplomacy. A May editorial in the Global Times highlighted,
"The back-to-back visits of Trump and Putin underscores both the intensity of China’s diplomatic calendar and its expanding influence on the world stage."
However, while China’s diplomatic presence grows, its ability to resolve international crises remains a topic of discussion. For instance, Beijing played a role in brokering a temporary ceasefire between Saudi Arabia and Iran in 2023, yet it has not emerged as a decisive mediator in the broader Iran-US conflict.
Similarly, China’s 12-point plan for a political resolution in the Ukraine war, proposed in 2023, has seen limited traction. Despite its commitment to neutrality, the plan has largely been overshadowed by ongoing hostilities, with many nations viewing Beijing’s involvement as insufficient to alter the conflict’s trajectory. This illustrates a broader challenge: while China is adept at hosting high-profile summits and fostering alliances, its practical impact on complex geopolitical issues is still being evaluated.
Global South as a Strategic Anchor
Xi’s diplomatic push has been particularly targeted at the Global South, where China seeks to cultivate long-term partnerships. By engaging with leaders from authoritarian regimes and developing nations, Beijing aims to counterbalance Western influence and promote its vision of a more equitable international order. This strategy has been bolstered by economic incentives, such as infrastructure loans and trade agreements, which provide tangible benefits to countries in need of development support.
Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to Beijing serves as a case study in this approach. Despite accusations from UN experts regarding his regime’s role in war crimes and genocide, Xi reaffirmed his support for Myanmar’s military government. This endorsement, coupled with the repeated emphasis on non-interference in internal affairs, aligns with China’s broader goal of reducing the influence of Western-led institutions. The outcome of these visits has been a gradual erosion of trust in the US, with many nations opting to align more closely with China for economic and political gains.
As the year progresses, the cumulative effect of these meetings is becoming evident. China’s ability to attract a diverse array of leaders—from democratic nations to autocratic regimes—signals its growing confidence in shaping the global agenda. Analysts suggest that Xi’s strategy is not only about building relationships but also about redefining the rules of international engagement. With the US increasingly focused on domestic challenges and regional conflicts, China is emerging as a preferred partner for nations seeking stability and alternative power structures.
The impact of this diplomatic shift extends beyond immediate alliances. By hosting these leaders, Beijing is reinforcing its image as a leader in global governance, capable of addressing issues ranging from climate change to trade disputes. Yet, the question remains whether this influence will translate into lasting political power. While China has made significant strides in soft diplomacy, its ability to lead in areas like security and economic policy will be crucial in determining its role in the future of international relations.
Ultimately, Xi’s efforts reflect a broader transformation in China’s foreign policy. From its early days of economic integration to its current pursuit of global leadership, the nation is actively repositioning itself as a central actor in world affairs. The continued flow of leaders to Beijing suggests that this strategy is resonating with a wide range of countries, offering them both economic opportunities and a new axis of influence in an increasingly multipolar world.