Change in tone comes as pressures grow
Xi eyes Biden meeting in November in San Francisco
China aims to deepen ties with global south

HONG KONGWASHINGTON, Oct 17 Reuters China has been striking a softer tone in its dealings with the world recently, releasing an Australian journalist from prison, inviting the U.S. military to a defence forum and agreeing to a 4.2 billion debt restructuring deal with Sri Lanka.

The conciliatory approach towards rivals as well as China39;s partners in the developing world comes as President Xi Jinping gets to grips with the most significant domestic economic problems seen in years.

While welcome for the United States as it focuses on the crisis in the Middle East, the new tone may not signal an enduring change and old tensions are likely to resurface before long, analysts say.

For the time being, China wants to reassure the world that it is business as usual when it comes to commerce, said Noah Barkin, an analyst with the Rhodium Group and expert on China39;s foreign relations.

Their leaders are keen to reassure foreign investors that relations with the U.S. and its allies in Asia and Europe are not in a oneway escalatory spiral, Barkin said.

Last week, China released Australian news anchor Cheng Lei after holding her for three years on national security grounds, the latest step in a warming relationship with Australia and clearing the way for a visit by its prime minister.

The U.S. has been invited to an upcoming defence forum…