Emboldened By A Strengthening Economy, China Flexes Its Diplomatic Muscles
China's foreign policy grew increasingly assertive in 2017, but there is debate about the country's capacity for global leadership. Beijing isn't keen to replace the U.S. on the world stage.
China's President Xi Jinping finished 2017 vowing to boost China's role on the world stage.
"As a responsible major country, China has something to say," Xi said in his Dec. 31 New Year speech. "China will resolutely uphold the authority and status of the United Nations, actively fulfill China's international obligations and duties, remain firmly committed to China's pledges to tackle climate change, actively push for the Belt and Road Initiative, and always be a builder of world peace, contributor of global development and keeper of international order. The Chinese people are ready to chart out a more prosperous, peaceful future for humanity, with people from other countries."
Meanwhile, Chinese diplomats closed out the year with
