, Columnist
China Needs a Reset. Xi’s Got Bigger Problems
While tensions on the foreign front are mounting, domestic issues have taken priority in Beijing.
Looking inward.
Photographer: Qilai Shen/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
The script at China’s National People’s Congress is pre-determined months before the event, but there had been speculation this week that Beijing might name a new foreign minister. Instead, it seems senior diplomat Wang Yi will continue in the role.
The world’s second-largest economy has missed a trick. While Wang is credible, highly respected and well known, China is increasingly losing friends and influence in the world, and needs a new envoy to reset the tone and work to create some goodwill. For now, it is clear that domestic stability is President Xi Jinping’s priority, even as tensions escalate across the region.