Chinese President Xi Jinping is making a bold move to reassert his country's global influence, with a series of high-profile diplomatic visits that are being carefully staged to project an image of independence and flexibility. Just days apart, Xi will meet with US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, in a deliberate attempt to showcase his ability to engage with major world powers on their own terms. By positioning himself as a leader who can effortlessly pivot between different relationships, Xi is seeking to counterbalance China's growing isolation on the world stage and demonstrate that Beijing remains a key player in global affairs. But will this carefully crafted image hold up to scrutiny, or is Xi's strategy merely a desperate bid to cling to relevance in a rapidly shifting international landscape?
Two presidential visits days apart is how Xi Jinping wants the world to see him: talking to everyone, tied to no-one.
