After a long absence of conciliatory diplomacy especially with the West, Chinese leader Xi Jinping seems to have finally embarked on a charm offensive.

Beijing¡¯s goal is to create a virtuous cycle that improves its international standing, stimulates its economy by attracting foreign investment and increases other countries¡¯ economic dependence on China.

This is but a short-term approach to addressing China¡¯s economic woes. To understand what is really going on, we must take a broad, long-term view without being misled by Xi¡¯s narrative.