Singapore

XI Jinping, president of China, began 2017 with a clear defence of globalisation. Speaking on Jan 17 at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, he said that "to grow its economy, China must have the courage to swim in the vast ocean of the global market".

The Chinese authorities are increasingly playing a part in political discourse, not least in view of the election of President Donald Trump. China is adopting a more prominent regional role in both east and South-east Asia. However, there is a tendency to exaggerate Chinese influence. Although Beijing will undoubtedly increase its contributions to international frameworks, it is a long way from leading the global policy agenda.