China tops world in diplomatic outposts

China now has the largest diplomatic network in the world, overtaking the United States for the first time, according to a leading policy think tank.

Beijing currently has 276 diplomatic posts globally, three more than Washington, according to the updated Global Diplomacy Index compiled by the Sydney-based independent, nonpartisan Lowy Institute.

In 2016, China was in third place behind the US and France and a year later it had climbed to second place. There was no report in 2018.