China ramps up diplomacy before Trump‑Xi summit
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- China hosted Vietnam’s President To Lam on April 15, with Xi emphasising stable party‑to‑party ties and economic cooperation.
- China welcomed Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on April 14, where Xi paired calls for closer bilateral cooperation with a four‑point proposal on Middle East peace.
- China hosted Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on April 14, with Xi stressing multilateralism and deeper China‑Spain cooperation amid global turbulence.
- China met Taiwan’s Kuomintang chair Cheng Li‑wun on April 10, with Xi expressing willingness to work with all Taiwanese parties to advance ties.
- China sent Foreign Minister Wang Yi to North Korea, where he met Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang and pledged to strengthen strategic communication and coordination.
- Analysts say the flurry of diplomatic activity is a calculated effort to shore up vulnerable relationships, signal reach, and avoid entering the Trump‑Xi summit isolated or reactive.
Why it matters: China gains bargaining leverage and a more stable regional backdrop for the Trump‑Xi talks, while the United States faces a less isolated China and potential pressure to temper Taiwan arms sales. The outreach also reduces the risk that sudden regional crises would weaken Beijing’s negotiating hand.
