Xi Jinping hosts a wave of foreign leaders in Beijing and Shanghai this July
In July, Chinese President Xi Jinping met leaders from Slovakia, Namibia, Cambodia, Thailand, Kazakhstan and North Korea in Beijing and Shanghai, adding to a tally of 26 heads of state visited this year.
Xi welcomed the prime minister of Slovakia and the president of Namibia to Beijing, while his Shanghai itinerary included talks with the heads of Cambodia, Thailand and Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the World AI Conference. The Chinese leader also received North Korean Premier Pak Thae-song after the premier’s earlier visit to meet Kim Jong-un. These engagements bring Xi's total to 26 foreign leaders this year, a count that already includes US President Donald Trump.
Why it matters
The meetings highlight China's push to strengthen diplomatic ties and showcase its influence at a major AI event.
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