Chinese President Xi Jinping’s first foreign trip clearly signals Beijing’s diplomatic priorities. In May 2024, President Xi began his first overseas journey of the year with visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary. Since 2013, he has traveled to Russia more than any other country, with a recorded total of 11 visits.
Typically, President Xi conducts three to four foreign trips annually. However, his first overseas visit of the year attracts particular diplomatic attention, as it outlines Beijing’s priorities for the coming months. After prolonged travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi resumed foreign visits in September 2022 with trips to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
In 2023, Xi’s opening foreign trip was to Russia. This was his first visit to Moscow since the Ukraine conflict had entered its second year. Since 2013, he has visited Russia 11 times, more than any other country. In May 2024, he launched his first overseas trip of the year by visiting three European countries — France, Serbia, and Hungary. This trip holds significance amidst the ongoing Ukraine war and rising tensions in trade negotiations between India and Europe.
In April of the previous year, Xi’s initial foreign visit was to ASEAN member states Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia. This trip followed a high-level party conference aimed at strengthening ties with neighboring countries, reflecting the diplomatic priorities at that time.
