British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper Begins Three-Day Visit to China
"She is the 26th foreign leader or senior official to visit China this year."
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is visiting China for three days this week. She will meet with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng in Beijing before traveling to Shenzhen for a program focused on science and technology.
Cooper is the 26th foreign leader or senior official to visit China this year, according to an Al Jazeera tally. The visitors include presidents, prime ministers, chancellors, crown princes, and foreign ministers from 23 countries: 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.
Regional Breakdown
Region Number of Countries Europe 10 Asia 8 Middle East 2 Africa 2 North America 2 Latin America 2Prominent Visitors
Notable dignitaries who have visited China this year include (in order of visits):
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer
- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
- US President Donald Trump
- Russian President Vladimir Putin
Chinese President Xi Jinping has hosted dignitaries in China rather than traveling abroad. Many visits sought investment opportunities, market access, or cooperation in manufacturing, technology, energy, and infrastructure. Several countries considered strategically important by Beijing, such as Russia and Pakistan, sent multiple officials.
Background: China's Trade Dominance
China's total foreign trade in goods reached a record 45 trillion yuan ($6.5 trillion) in 2025, maintaining its position as the world's largest trading nation for the ninth consecutive year.
In late 2024, China's trade surplus exceeded $1 trillion for the first time.
Top Trading Partners
Rank Country Trade Volume 1 United States $414.7 billion (2025) 2 Vietnam — 3 Japan — 4 South Korea — 5 India —Despite ongoing tariff tensions, the US remains China's largest trading partner, with total goods trade worth $414.7 billion in 2025.
China's Major Exports
China's top export sector is electronics, with over $1 trillion worth of electronic goods exported in 2024. Other major exports include machinery, textiles, metals, and cars.
The country has shifted from low-cost goods to higher-value products such as electric vehicles and solar panels, reflecting a strategic move up the global value chain.