Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is currently in China on a four-day state visit. Coinciding with her trip, the heads of government of three other countries are also visiting Beijing.
Analysts view the simultaneous visits of these leaders as particularly significant, suggesting a notable diplomatic engagement.
China claims that these visits by world leaders demonstrate mutual respect, understanding, and support, contrasting with the "outdated Cold War mentality" of the West.
Who are in China now
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Beijing last Monday, arriving by evening. On the second day of her visit, she participated in the 'Business and Investment Facilitation between Bangladesh and China' summit in Beijing. During her stay, she will also meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to return home on Thursday.
According to China's state-owned media, Global Times, the heads of government of two other countries are visiting China during Sheikh Hasina's stay. They are Prime Minister Charlotte Salwai of Vanuatu and Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele of the Solomon Islands. Prime Minister Salwai's visit to China spans from July 7 to 12, while Prime Minister Manele will be in China from July 9 to 15.
Hungarian PM on a surprise visit
Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban made an unexpected visit to China on Monday. On the same day, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Orban had recently visited Russia and Ukraine, referring to these trips as 'peace missions.' Since Hungary assumed the presidency of the European Union this month, Orban has launched this 'mission of peace,' though it lacks the support of other European countries.
On the social media platform X, Orban stated that China is a major force in creating the conditions for peace in the Russia-Ukraine war, which motivated his visit to Beijing to meet President Xi Jinping. This visit follows a trip by the Chinese President to Budapest two months earlier.
What analysts say?
Chinese media have highlighted the visits of multiple foreign leaders as very significant. According to a Global Times report, these visits are seen as evidence of fruitful cooperation between China and the Global South, a sentiment welcomed by observers both domestically and internationally.
Qian Feng, director of research at Tsinghua University's National Strategy Institute, noted that these diplomatic engagements could serve as a strong deterrent against the West's attempts to "deceive or hinder" the development efforts of emerging economies.
KAA/NMA