BEIJING, Jan 26 (ABC) : Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched an active diplomatic agenda in early 2026, engaging in high-level talks with leaders across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Global South. His efforts have drawn worldwide attention, signaling a renewed chapter in China’s foreign relations amid a complex global environment.
On New Year’s Eve, Xi exchanged greetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reflecting on 2025 as a milestone year for the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. Xi emphasized continued close cooperation to advance bilateral ties in the new era.
On January 5, Xi met with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, the first foreign leader to visit China in 2026, highlighting the importance of deepening China-ROK relations. The same day, he welcomed Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, marking Ireland’s first high-level visit to China in 14 years, and stressed expanding strategic communication, mutual trust, and pragmatic cooperation.
In addition, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo is scheduled to visit China from January 25-28 to further strengthen bilateral ties. Earlier, Xi also hosted Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the first Canadian prime minister to visit China in eight years, resulting in eight signed cooperation documents spanning trade, energy, and technology sectors.
Xi’s early-year diplomacy also reinforced China’s ties with the Global South. To commemorate 70 years of China-Africa relations, he sent a congratulatory message for the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. A phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva underlined China’s commitment to building strong China-Latin America partnerships.
Xi’s diplomatic engagements have promoted openness, cooperation, and shared development. During visits from foreign leaders, China signed multiple cooperation agreements covering technology, environment, transportation, trade, and investment. Finland and Canada highlighted China as a key trading partner, underscoring the vast opportunities for mutual prosperity within China’s 15th Five-Year Plan framework.
Xi has emphasized the importance of cultural and educational exchanges to strengthen global ties. He announced 2026-2027 as the China-Russia Years of Education and welcomed youth engagement from Ireland, South Korea, and the United States to promote mutual understanding and friendship. Xi’s approach highlights a foreign policy grounded in equality, long-term vision, and cultural inclusiveness.
In his 2026 New Year message, Xi stressed China’s role in advancing world peace, development, and a community with a shared future for humanity, advocating for true multilateralism and international cooperation. He urged nations to respect each other’s development paths and adhere to the UN Charter, emphasizing that confrontation and zero-sum approaches have no place in modern global governance.
By guiding China’s diplomacy with strategic vision and proactive engagement, Xi has set a stable course for international cooperation in 2026, offering opportunities for global progress and mutually beneficial outcomes.