China rising: Beijing has world’s biggest network of diplomatic posts

In a sign of Beijing’s determined quest to boost its international influence, China is outstripping the United States in diplomatic reach for the first time, boasting more embassies and consulates around the world than Washington.

China has jumped from third to first in the Lowy Institute’s “Global Diplomacy Index” over the last three years with a net gain of five embassies, making a total of 276 posts.

The US, by contrast has lost a post and has 273, while more than 25 per cent of key state department positions remain unfilled.