While Xi Jinping and other world leaders were meeting in Osaka at the end of June, the Chinese navy was conducting drills in the South China Seas, pushing back against the U.S.'s freedom of navigation doctrine. (Nikkei Montage/Reuters/Getty Images)

Xi makes waves in South China Sea ahead of summer conclave

'Missile test' around time of G-20 shows posturing to elders going to Beidaihe

KATSUJI NAKAZAWA, Nikkei senior staff writer

July 11, 2019 14:09 JST

TOKYO -- When Xi Jinping went out of his way to shake U.S. President Donald Trump's hand before a group photo at the recent Group of 20 summit, some saw it as a sign the unbending Chinese leader had been humbled.

The encounter took place the day before their highly anticipated June 29 meeting in Osaka. Judging by this unusual summit scene alone, Xi appeared willing to lose face to approach Trump, hoping to secure assurances on trade to ease the strain on China's slowing economy.