China Hosts 26 Leaders From 23 Countries in 2026

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper arrived in China this week for a three-day visit that includes meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing and a program in Shenzhen focused on science and technology. According to an Al Jazeera tally, Cooper is the 26th foreign leader or senior official to visit China in 2026.

The visitors represent 23 countries and include presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, crown princes and foreign ministers.

The list of countries includes Ireland, South Korea, Canada, Finland, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, Germany, Turkmenistan, Pakistan, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Vietnam, Mozambique, Iran, Tajikistan, the United States, Seychelles, Moldova, Singapore, Serbia, Brazil and Laos.

European nations account for ten of the 23 countries. Leaders from the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Ireland and Finland are among those who have visited.

China recorded total foreign trade in goods of 45 trillion yuan in 2025, according to data from China’s General Administration of Customs. The country’s trade surplus reached $1 trillion for the first time late last year. Bilateral goods trade between China and the United States totaled $414.7 billion in 2025, according to the U.S. Trade Representative.

Electronics remained China’s largest export sector, exceeding $1 trillion in value in 2024.