Xi's trip reinforces China's role in Oceania

State visits see ties upgraded, deals signed on extensive range of issues

President Xi Jinping returned to Beijing on Sunday after a tour of Oceania that included state visits to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and reinforced China's image as both a partner and player in the Asia-Pacific region.

Calling the 10-day trip the "finale" of Chinese diplomacy in 2014, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China enjoyed a fruitful diplomatic year by linking the country and the world more closely, with new thoughts, plans and mechanisms being proposed.