The Anatomy of Diplomatic Work among China's Top Leaders

This article systematically reviews the diplomatic activities carried out by China's leaders, aiming to gain insights into the nation's strategic approach to foreign affairs. The research commenced by compiling and analyzing a dataset comprising 1,908 reports on "leaders' activities" sourced from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, spanning the period from November 2017 to January 2020. We examined patterns and trends in areas such as the reception of foreign dignitaries, international visits, the timing of diplomatic activities, and the specific regions for which each leader was responsible for in overseeing policy. Analyzing these patterns unveils the scheduling and division of diplomatic responsibilities among leaders, along with the specific regions associated with each leader's focus. Our systematic analysis sheds light on the nature and structure of Chinese leaders' diplomatic activities. It also provides policymakers with essential information to reassess their strategies and reallocate their resources as they engage with China.