Xi Jinping Skips BRICS Summit: Premier Li to Represent China in Brazil

Xi Jinping to Miss BRICS Summit; Premier Li to Attend

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, later this week. This marks the first time President Xi Jinping will skip the annual gathering of the bloc since assuming power in 2012.

China's Representation at the Summit

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed on Wednesday that Premier Li will attend the July 5–8 summit on Xi's behalf. However, she declined to elaborate on why Xi chose not to attend.

Speculation Surrounding Xi's Absence

Xi’s absence is raising eyebrows in diplomatic circles, particularly given the recent efforts to reset India-China relations. The 2023 BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, saw PM Modi and Xi holding their first in-person interaction in four years, leading to the reopening of bilateral dialogue mechanisms.

Future Encounters: The SCO Summit

With Xi absent from the BRICS summit, attention now shifts to the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, which China will host in 2025. If PM Modi attends, it could provide the next opportunity for a bilateral meeting between the two leaders.