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China, in its quest to gain global superiority, now has more diplomatic posts in other countries than any other nation, making it the largest diplomatic force in the world, according to a report from an Australian think tank.

The Lowy Institute published the Global Diplomacy Index, which maps and lists the number of embassies and consulates for 61 countries.

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This year, China reached 276 posts, passing the U.S. by three. The report suggests America got caught in “a period of limbo.”

“In two years, Beijing has grown its network by five diplomatic posts … it’s ascent to the top spot has been rapid. In 2016, China was in third place behind the U.S. and France, and by 2017 it had moved to second place ahead of France,” Bonnie Bley, a Lowy Institute research fellow, wrote in a breakdown of the report.

“At the same time, the United States’ diplomatic presence has been marginally eroded since 2017. With a hollowed-out State Department – only 73 per cent of key positions are filled … American diplomacy is looking rudderless.”