China Under International Pressure Despite Xi’s Recent Trips Abroad: Experts

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping shakes hands as they meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Nusa Dua on the Indonesian resort island of Bali on Nov. 14, 2022. Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping recently made high-profile visits abroad, meeting world leaders after he secured a third term as the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in last month’s National Congress. Chinese official media tout Xi’s diplomatic achievements from the trips. However, international analysts point out that he achieved very little, and it is difficult to hide the crises the regime is facing.

Xi met with U.S. President Joe Biden in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 14 ahead of the G20 summit. During the event, held on Nov. 15 and 16, Xi also met with other world leaders. From Nov. 17 to 19, he attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese meets Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a bilateral meeting during the 2022 G20 summit in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15, 2022. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

The CCP’s official media covered Xi’s participation in these international events and touted his achievements. CCTV reported the meeting between Xi and Biden, saying, “Chairman Xi pointed out the direction and track for the development of U.S.-China relations.” Xinhua News Agency published an article titled “President Xi Jinping’s important speech at the first phase of the 17th G20 Summit leads the direction of global development.”

Xi Achieved ‘Little’

Su Tze-yun, a senior analyst at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research of Taiwan, told The Epoch Times on Nov. 17 that after the Party Congress, Xi held talks with world leaders because he is seeking international acceptance and support for his third term, which would justify his power. “But beyond that, he didn’t achieve anything diplomatically.”

Su said the CCP is most concerned about being contained by the United States and its allies. “After Xi Jinping met with Biden, the Chinese press release stated that the United States promised to have no intention of containing the CCP, but there was no such statement from the White House.”

Su pointed out that regarding China-U.S. relations, Xi is in a tough spot. “As for the Taiwan issue, Xi overreacted when U.S. House Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan. Will there be another military exercise in the Taiwan Strait if McCarthy visits Taiwan after becoming the new House speaker? It may be more difficult for the CCP to deal with it. No matter what it does, it will be stuck in a difficult situation.”

“Xi’s diplomatic achievements this time are very little. It is just ceremonial to give himself international legitimacy after the CCP’s 20th National Congress,” he said.

‘Wolf Warrior’ Diplomacy Will Continue

Dr. Cheng Chin-mo, director of the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times on Nov. 19: “After the CCP’s 20th National Congress, Xi revisited the ‘big country diplomacy with CCP characteristics,' mainly for the effect of internal propaganda. It emphasizes that under the leadership of the CCP, China’s international status has elevated to a major country in the world, and Xi has set the direction for today’s chaotic world. As for foreign relations, it will continue its ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy, but it will be packaged in a more refined way.”

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping at the G20 Leaders' Summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15, 2022. Adam Scotti/Prime Minister's Office/Handout via Reuters

Xi announced on Nov. 18 that he would consider hosting the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation next year.

However, Cheng pointed out that the “CCP still uses the traditional methods of economic incentives, bribing local politicians to push its Belt and Road Initiative, which has almost bankrupted. The CCP’s zero-COVID policy has caused the domestic economy to decline rapidly, giving the United States and Western countries a very favorable situation.”

U.S.-based China commentator Wang He said in his column for The Epoch Times that judging from the G20 summit, the CCP does not have the upper hand in multilateral diplomatic occasions, and its international influence has stopped growing. He added that 2022 is not only a turning point for the Chinese economy and the CCP’s political power, but may also be a turning point for the CCP’s international influence.

“The CCP’s international influence is waning because the international community is seeing through the true nature of the CCP,” Wang said. Ning Haizhong and Luo Ya contributed to this report.