World Leaders Queue Up to Meet Xi Jinping - What's Behind the Beijing Rush?

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz became the seventh world leader to sit across from Xi Jinping in Beijing this year when they met on February 25th. But he won't be the last.

Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in China on March 31st—the first of potentially four face-to-face meetings with Xi this year. Vladimir Putin has accepted an invitation to visit before June ends. The parade of leaders heading to Beijing tells a story that goes far beyond diplomatic courtesy.

The Magnetism of Beijing

This rush to China marks a dramatic shift from the pandemic years when Beijing's doors remained largely closed to foreign dignitaries. Now, as China reopens, world leaders are lining up for audiences with Xi—a phenomenon that would have seemed unlikely just a few years ago when "decoupling" was the buzzword in Western capitals.

Merz's visit signals Germany's attempt to recalibrate its relationship with China. Despite labeling China a "systemic rival," Germany can't ignore economic reality: companies like Mercedes-Benz and BMW generate substantial profits from Chinese consumers. The German auto industry's dependence on China creates a complex dance between values-based diplomacy and economic pragmatism.

Trump's planned visit is perhaps the most intriguing. The same leader who launched a trade war during his first presidency is now preparing to sit down with Xi in person. This shift suggests that even the most hawkish voices recognize that global challenges—from trade imbalances to climate change—require Chinese cooperation, not just competition.

China's Selective Diplomacy

From Beijing's perspective, this diplomatic momentum represents a strategic victory. Xi isn't opening his doors to everyone—he's being selective, prioritizing leaders whose countries offer significant economic or strategic value. This calculated approach demonstrates China's growing confidence in its global position.

The timing isn't coincidental either. As the U.S. grapples with domestic challenges and Europe faces economic uncertainties, China is positioning itself as a stable partner for practical cooperation. Xi's government is offering what many leaders crave: predictability and economic opportunity.

But there's a deeper game at play. Each handshake in Beijing sends a message to Washington that China has alternatives. When European leaders visit Beijing, it complicates America's efforts to build unified coalitions against Chinese policies.

The Pragmatic Shift

What we're witnessing is a return to realpolitik—the idea that national interests trump ideological differences. Countries are discovering that moral posturing has limits when economic stakes are high. Germany needs Chinese markets for its industrial exports. America needs Chinese cooperation on global issues from North Korea to climate change.

This doesn't mean Western criticism of China's human rights record or territorial claims has disappeared. Rather, leaders are compartmentalizing—addressing contentious issues while maintaining economic and diplomatic ties. It's a delicate balance that requires constant recalibration.

The phenomenon also reflects China's evolution from a developing nation seeking international legitimacy to a major power that others seek to engage. Xi no longer needs to court foreign leaders—they're coming to him.

Implications for Global Order

This diplomatic traffic to Beijing suggests we're entering a more multipolar world where China's voice carries equal weight to America's in many discussions. The days when Washington could expect automatic alignment from allies may be ending as countries pursue independent relationships with Beijing.

For smaller nations watching this dynamic, the message is clear: hedging bets between superpowers might be smarter than choosing sides. The leaders queuing up in Beijing aren't abandoning their relationships with Washington—they're diversifying their diplomatic portfolios.