The Swedish government states that increased relations and collaborations with China will promote democratization. Leaders working cross-border can beviewed as a major source for influence. This thesis will use a rhetorical framework when aiming to examine democratic potentials in Swedish leaders operating in a Chinese context. Here communication is viewed as a possible tool for democratic influence. Rhetoricians believes that for influence to occur, the establishment of ethos is crucial, therefore will the thesis also explore how the leaders maintain and establish ethos in their daily interactions. The material mainly consists of interviews and field work carried out with leaders located in Shanghai and Hong Kong.