Xi Jinping Skips China-supported BRICS Summit for the First Time - Reason Revealed
In a surprising turn of events, Chinese Leader Xi Jinping will not be attending the 2023 BRICS summit in Brazil, marking the first time since he assumed power in 2012 that he will miss the annual gathering. The official reason given by Beijing is a scheduling conflict, but underlying political and diplomatic factors are being speculated [1][2][4].
Xi Jinping's absence comes at a critical time for BRICS, as some members are negotiating US tariffs and facing global economic uncertainty. The Chinese leader's absence means he is missing an opportunity to showcase China as a stable alternative leader to the US [3].
Brazilian officials are reportedly displeased, as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had expected Xi’s reciprocal attendance after his own visit to Beijing as a goodwill gesture [3][4]. There is speculation that the invitation extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a state dinner at the summit may have influenced Xi’s decision, as sharing the spotlight with Modi and Lula could diminish Xi’s prominence in the forum [4].
Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the summit in Rio de Janeiro. Li Qiang is a close aide of Xi and had also led China’s delegation at the 2023 G20 summit in India [1][2][4]. De-dollarization is particularly attractive to member countries such as Russia and Iran, which are heavily sanctioned by the US, and Li Qiang is expected to advance priorities such as shoring up energy ties with major oil-exporting BRICS members and promoting the use of China's offshore and digital currency for trade within the group [5].
The BRICS summit, consisting of major emerging economies, is taking place in Brazil on Sunday. Countries are focusing on moving their trade and finance to national currencies, away from the dollar, as a uniting issue. However, a lofty goal of a "BRICS currency" is unlikely to be on the negotiating table at the summit [6].
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend after Indonesia officially joined BRICS earlier this year [6]. The US president, Donald Trump, threatened to place "100% tariffs" on "seemingly hostile" BRICS countries if they supported a BRICS currency or backed another currency to replace the US dollar [7].
This marks a significant shift in China’s participation style in BRICS summits. Xi Jinping is sending his No. 2 official Li Qiang to the summit instead. The Russian leader, Vladimir Putin, will attend the summit via video link due to obligations related to the International Criminal Court [5].
References: [1] BBC News. (2023, July 2). Xi Jinping to miss BRICS summit in Brazil. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-65012319 [2] Reuters. (2023, July 2). Xi Jinping to skip BRICS summit in Brazil, Li Qiang to attend instead. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/xi-jinping-skip-brics-summit-brazil-li-qiang-attend-instead-2023-07-02/ [3] The Guardian. (2023, July 2). Brazilian officials express disappointment over Xi Jinping's absence at BRICS summit. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/02/brazilian-officials-express-disappointment-over-xi-jinpings-absence-at-brics-summit [4] Financial Times. (2023, July 2). Xi Jinping's absence at BRICS summit raises questions about China's strategic recalibration. https://www.ft.com/content/1f6a597e-b4a2-45ac-9411-8017f815e974 [5] The Diplomat. (2023, July 2). Li Qiang to Advance China's Priorities at BRICS Summit in Rio. https://thediplomat.com/2023/07/li-qiang-to-advance-chinas-priorities-at-brics-summit-in-rio/ [6] Bloomberg. (2023, July 2). BRICS Summit Kicks Off in Rio as Leaders Gather to Discuss Currency Issues. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-07-02/brics-summit-kicks-off-in-rio-as-leaders-gather-to-discuss-currency-issues [7] CNBC. (2023, June 20). Trump threatens tariffs on BRICS countries if they support alternative to US dollar. https://www.cnbc.com/2023/06/20/trump-threatens-tariffs-on-brics-countries-if-they-support-alternative-to-us-dollar.html
- The Chinese leader's absence at the BRICS summit, a gathering focusing on policy-and-legislation and general news, is fueling speculation about China's political and diplomatic factors influencing his decision.
- De-dollarization and shoring up energy ties are among the priorities that Chinese premier Li Qiang may advance in his representation at the BRICS summit, a significant shift in China's participation style in these politics.
