President Xi Jinping showed the world a newly assertive China that's less worried about impressing others than in pursuing its own goals as he approved agreements with the U.S. on climate change and trade tariffs.
Deals announced during President Barack Obama's state visit to China last week, also including visa processing and military coordination, demonstrated that China under Xi isn't afraid to say "yes" to Western leaders when it is in its interests.
On climate, Xi took a step his nation had long resisted, agreeing to cap its carbon emissions by 2030 — not because Obama asked him to, but because pollution is killing his people and driving away global business.