On July 18, Chinese President Xi Jinping met Chinese ambassadors from all over the world at the 2019 Annual Overseas Diplomats Work Conference. The meeting was led by State Councilor Wang Yi who urged the diplomats to take the long view. The official report said “The meeting deeply analyzed the current international situation and the historical position of China's development.” Xinhua added“At the work conference, the envoys were urged to fully carry out the plans and arrangements of diplomatic work of the CPC Central Committee under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and to keep on working with great determination.”

(Comment: Since 2016 Xi Jinping has made these meetings annual affairs. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has seen more turnover in its leadership than any other central ministry this year. The shakeup appears to be about increasing loyalty among China’s diplomats.)