GYEONGJU, South Korea -- U.S. President Donald Trump's absence from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit laid out a red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping to dominate the Asia-focused gathering's narrative and optics.
International relations
Trump's early exit hands Xi the starring role at APEC
China is confident it is winning the narrative as a stable force over inconsistent US diplomacy
Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, shakes hands with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a group photo shoot at the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Nov. 1, 2025.
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