Episode Details

In the new year, leaders of nations in Asia, Europe and North America have traveled to China to discuss reinforcing bilateral ties and expanding pragmatic cooperation, and countries such as Finland have confirmed or planned visits to China by their leaders in the near future.

Observers said one major reason behind the visits is that Beijing projects great predictability and consistency in its domestic and foreign policy, signaling tangible and continued mutual benefit in a world plagued by soaring geopolitical tensions, unilateralism and hegemony.

The next guest will be Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, who is scheduled to make a four-day official visit to China starting on Sunday.

The first head of state and the first foreign minister that Beijing received in 2026 both came from neighboring countries — Republic of Korea President Lee Jae-myung and Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

After President Xi Jinping's meeting with Lee on Jan 5, the two heads of state jointly witnessed the signing of 15 cooperation documents covering fields including scientific and technological innovation, the environment, transportation and trade.

The official visit by Taoiseach of Ireland Micheal Martin, from Jan 4-8, was the first by an Irish prime minister in 14 years, giving fresh momentum to both bilateral and China-EU ties.

Last week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made an official visit to China, and the two sides issued a joint statement of the China-Canada leaders' meeting, vowing to advance outcomes in areas including trade, energy, public security, culture and multilateralism.

As reported by the Canadian newspaper Toronto Sun, Melanie Joly, Canada's industry minister, told reporters in Beijing that "the conversations here have been more predictable and stable than sometimes with other countries, including our neighbor".

Recently, media outlets in Britain and Germany have reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz may visit China later this year.

The visits to China have helped nations, and will help more countries, improve their perception of China and