Balance of Power

Xi Gains Global Weight Just by Not Being Trump

The rush of visitors to Beijing underscores a growing expectation that the Chinese leader should play a bigger global role.
President Xi Jinping meets with Vietnam’s President To Lam in Beijing on April 15.Photographer: VCG/Visual China Group/Getty Images

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After peace talks between the US and Iran floundered last weekend, leaders from all corners of the globe rushed to speak to one man: Xi Jinping.

China’s president had his busiest week in nearly two years, excluding major summits, as he welcomed at least five high-profile officials.