News Analysis Chinese leader Xi Jinping gave a speech at a conference in China on Oct. 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the admittance of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to the United Nations. The speech was directed at U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres who attended the conference virtually, as Xi has not traveled outside the PRC for over 21 months. In the run-up to that speech and afterward, state-run Chinese media—such as Xinhua, Global Times, China Daily, and People’s Daily—gushed with laudatory headlines: “50 years on, China remains committed to advancing UN cause” “China wins increasing support at UN during 50 yrs, opposing unilateralism, protectionism and hegemony” “Xi pledges sustained Chinese support for UN, multilateralism” “Xi hails restoration of PRC’s rights in UN 50 years ago” “Support UN’s leading role, safeguard multilateralism” “UN should remain core of global governance” “Restoration of China’s lawful seat in the UN …