27/06/2026 13:40 - Internacionales
Chinese President Xi Jinping has welcomed at least 17 world leaders during the first half of 2026, in what experts interpret as a deliberate strategy to reposition China as the new center of global diplomacy and offer an alternative to the Western-led world order.
On Friday, June 26, 2026, Xi met with Tarique Rahman, the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking the continuous flow of leaders traveling to Beijing. Less than two weeks earlier, the Chinese leader had rolled out the red carpet for Min Aung Hlaing, the military chief turned president of Myanmar.
According to analysis by the International Crisis Group, the long list of leaders traveling to Beijing reflects growing recognition of China's global influence.
The term refers to countries that are not superpowers but have significant regional influence and independent maneuvering capacity. Examples include Canada, Australia, South Korea, Indonesia, and Brazil.
These nations seek to diversify their alliances to avoid relying exclusively on the United States, especially when they perceive inconsistency in American foreign policy.
The analysis suggests many countries perceive the United States as 'capricious' and unpredictable in its foreign policy, driving middle powers to seek independent relationships with Beijing.
China presents itself as a source of stability and loans for developing nations, capitalizing on the perceived withdrawal of U.S. leadership globally.
| Country | Leader | Month |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Donald Trump | May 2026 |
| Russia | Vladimir Putin | May 2026 |
| United Kingdom | Keir Starmer | 2026 |
| Canada | Mark Carney | January 2026 |
| Myanmar | Min Aung Hlaing | June 2026 |
| Bangladesh | Tarique Rahman | June 2026 |
| Pakistan, Serbia, Brunei, Tajikistan | Various leaders | May 2026 |
*Partial list based on available information. Foreign ministers' visits are not included.
Beijing has not hidden its willingness to receive leaders from authoritarian regimes or countries in conflict. The visit of Min Aung Hlaing is particularly significant: the Myanmar leader faces UN accusations of war crimes and genocide, and has become increasingly isolated since the 2021 coup that overthrew Myanmar's elected government.
José Ian Chong, a professor at the National University of Singapore, noted that Min Aung Hlaing's visit signals 'Beijing's acceptance of the legitimacy of Myanmar's military government'.
Xi expressed his 'firm support' for the Myanmar regime, reiterating his commitment to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
According to Steve Tsang, director of the China Institute at SOAS University of London, Xi seeks to influence the international order so that 'no country has the right to tell others how to manage their domestic affairs'.
This stance appeals to regimes facing international criticism for human rights violations, offering an alternative to the Western sanctions system.
In early June, Xi made a rare foreign visit to meet with Kim Jong-un in North Korea.
Despite China's previous opposition to North Korea's nuclear program, the issue was absent from official statements. Analysts interpret this as tacit acceptance of Pyongyang's nuclear status in exchange for regional stability.
According to cited experts, Xi's ultimate goal is to 'fundamentally shift the balance of power from the hands of advanced democracies to the Global South, with China as leader'. Chinese state media has presented Beijing as the new center of world diplomacy, highlighting consecutive visits by Trump and Putin as proof of its growing influence. However, analysts point out that China's capacity to resolve international crises remains limited: its 12-point plan for Ukraine has lost relevance, and its influence over Iran is not decisive.
China has actively promoted a multipolar world order since at least 2013, when Xi announced the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). In 2023, Beijing brokered a détente agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran, demonstrating its diplomatic capacity in the Middle East. However, its continued support for Russia in the Ukraine war and reluctance to condemn military invasions have raised questions about its credibility as a neutral actor.
Source: The Guardian | Analysis by Amy Hawkins in Beijing and Alastair McCready in Taipei.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
