Chinese leader Xi Jinping upgraded diplomatic ties with a record number of countries last year as he seeks to rally the Global South to help reshape the U.S.-led world order.
Beijing elevated the way it described ties with 17 countries and territories, most of them from the developing world, according to a Bloomberg analysis of statements issued by the foreign ministry. That¡¯s a pace not seen during Xi¡¯s first decade in office.
While Washington has built a diplomacy strategy dependent on coalitions of mostly rich allies, Beijing is doing the opposite, wooing developing countries that make up the majority of the world¡¯s population using aid, trade and investments. The geopolitical benefits are on display this week with Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu¡¯s first visit to China, breaking convention with previous Maldivian leaders and handing Xi a victory over regional rival India.
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