In from the cold After years of isolation, Xi looks to lead on global stage

In Xi Jinping's closing speech at China's annual parliamentary meeting on Monday, his message was clear: China is back.

- Amy Hawkins

Speaking to nearly 3,000 delegates in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi, newly anointed as president for a precedent-busting third term, said: "After a century of struggle, our national humiliation has been erased... the Chinese nation's great revival is on an irreversible path."

The speech comes as Xi is trying to position himself as a global statesman, leading a China that is ready to dominate the world stage. After three years of isolation caused by the zero-Covid policy, Chinese diplomats and Xi himself are jetting across borders to participate in international summits once again.

Last Friday, Iran and Saudi Arabia announced a Chinese-brokered deal to restore diplomatic relations, seven years after the relationship was severed. In a joint statement, the Saudi and Iranian governments thanked China for sponsoring and hosting the talks. Chinese diplomats have been working the Middle East circuit for several weeks and Xi is expected to visit Iran soon.