Xi's foreign trips present China as a world player

President Xi Jinping has by my count become the most-travelled Chinese leader in modern times as he seeks to project his "Chinese Dream", which promotes the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Significantly, his first major foreign trip was to Russia, where he held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, followed by visits to the United States, the United Kingdom, and some Asian countries. He has twice met in the US with US President Barack Obama, latterly on a state visit earlier this year. His last visit to the US also saw him deliver a keynote address to the United Nations; his pledges on peacekeeping and investment in UN projects made the message crystal clear.

Not only has China joined the club of leading nations, but also its leader is projecting an entirely new, forceful image of the country.