By STEPHEN FIDLER in London and ANDREW BATSON in Beijing
China sent a strong signal with its active role in last week's summit of the Group of 20 industrialized and developing economies: The country's leaders intend to play a greater part in shaping the global economy.
After years of staying largely on the sidelines at international economic forums, Beijing took on a more assertive role at the summit, pushing trade and antiprotectionism up the agenda and working to play down other issues such as the environment. It also hinted it wouldn't be afraid to use economic negotiations to advance political goals such as its insistence on sovereignty over Tibet.
China's actions show a new eagerness to be treated as a major global player, even as it insists that it remains a developing country whose relatively poor population shouldn't be expected to fund large amounts of international aid.
The nation's rising profile presents a sharp contrast to its historically low-key diplomacy. China has, for example, used its United Nations veto less than the other permanent members of the Security Council.
