With determination and tact, China is steadily increasing its commercial, diplomatic and military influence, especially in the Asia-Pacific half of the globe. Wen Jiabao, Chinese premier, cheerfully accepted a roasted pig and whale's tooth from his Fijian hosts last week to prove it.

Hu Jintao, Chinese president, will make a well-publicised trip to Washington next week. Less prominent, but in some ways more revealing of Beijing's global diplomatic ambitions, has been Mr Wen's Asia-Pacific voyage.