May 2026 witnessed an intensive diplomatic schedule for China. The country hosted successive state visits by multiple foreign heads of state, including US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and received foreign ministers and other senior officials from various countries. Moreover, as the rotating president of the UN Security Council for May, China convened a Security Council high-level meeting on May 26, under the theme “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred