China tops world in diplomatic posts as US retreats

Beijing actively adds embassies in countries flipped from Taiwan

20191126 USA-TRADE/CHINA

China is adding diplomatic muscle worldwide to its rising economic and military clout. © Reuters

FRANCESCA REGALADO, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Fifty years ago, China only had one overseas embassy -- in Cairo. Now, it has overtaken the U.S. in having the most diplomatic posts in the world.

The Lowy Institute's latest Global Diplomacy Index, which ranks 61 countries according to diplomatic presence, counted 276 Chinese posts (embassies, consulates and permanent missions) compared with 273 for the U.S.

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