China Is the World's No. 1 Diplomatic Power, Ahead of the US, Report Shows

China is the world's largest diplomatic power, with a wider presence across the globe than the United States, according to a new report shared with Newsweek. Set to be published Sunday morning, the Lowy Institute's 2024 Global Diplomacy Index ranks 66 nations and territories by the number of diplomatic postings they possess around the world. China came in first place with 274 posts in its diplomatic network, closely followed by the U.S. with 271. "The Global Diplomacy Index shows that governments continue to invest in diplomacy to project power and achieve their interests." Pacific islands have been a particular center of attention, where the report noted that "There has been a surge of new diplomatic missions in the Pacific Islands" that were "Driven by geopolitical competition in the region." "Taiwan is struggling to preserve the few formal diplomatic relationships it has left as China picks off countries through economic and other enticements," the report observed. The authors of the report expected the two nations to remain relatively locked in their slightly fluctuating positions at the top of the list, noting how, "Since China assumed the lead, both countries have largely plateaued."