China focuses on Europe, Southeast Asia with top-level visits

Two regions key to Beijing's diplomatic agenda against pressure from the U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron this May in Paris, where Xi called for a multipolar world not dominated by the U.S. © Reuters

YUKIO TAJIMA, Nikkei staff writer

July 5, 2024 00:42 JST

BEIJING -- European and Southeast Asian countries have accounted for nearly half of diplomatic trips by key Chinese officials since the end of pandemic-era travel restrictions, a Nikkei analysis shows, underscoring the importance of the two regions to Beijing's diplomatic ambitions.

Chinese President Xi Jinping just arrived in Kazakhstan this week for a three-day visit through Thursday. Overall, top Chinese leaders and diplomats visited foreign countries 87 times since zero-COVID policies were lifted in January 2023.