According to overseas media reports, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials have informed Brazil that Xi Jinping will be absent from the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro next month, with Premier Li Keqiang attending in his place. This would mark Xi’s first absence from the summit, sparking speculation.
The BRICS summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6th to 7th.
Both Bloomberg and South China Morning Post cited informed Brazilian government officials on June 25th, revealing that Xi Jinping will not be attending the summit.
Bloomberg reported that the CCP officials did not provide a reason for Xi Jinping’s absence. South China Morning Post stated that Beijing informed the Brazilian government of a scheduling conflict for Xi. The report also mentioned that Li Keqiang is expected to lead the Chinese delegation, similar to his attendance at the G20 summit in India in 2023.
Informed officials also noted that Xi has met with Brazilian President Lula twice in less than a year. The first meeting took place at the G20 summit and state visit to Brasilia last November, and the second was during the China-Latin America Forum in Beijing in May.
However, recent rumors about Xi’s shaky grip on power have surfaced, with his first absence from the BRICS summit further fueling speculation.
Commentator Li Lin told Epoch Times that the BRICS summit is one of the places Xi Jinping is most willing to show up, considering it is where the CCP believes it can demonstrate leadership even outside its borders. This is different from the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, where Modi of India was in control and Xi felt overshadowed, hence he was unwilling to attend.
Li Lin pointed out that theoretically, there should not be a scheduling issue for Xi this time, and his two previous meetings with the Brazilian President should not be the reason for his absence, as the summit is not merely a personal gathering. Therefore, if Xi cannot go, it is likely due to inconveniences in his own overseas visit.
The recent troubles involving Xi Jinping’s allies in the military, such as Miao Hua and He Weidong, have triggered various unfavorable speculations.
Independent commentator Cai Shengkun claimed on social media on May 6th that there will be a major upheaval at the upcoming CCP Central Committee Fourth Plenum in the fall. Facing the current international situation and domestic economy, coupled with Xi Jinping’s illness, the elders have reached their limit and are collectively pressuring Xi.
According to authoritative sources, although Xi Jinping still appears to be in power, the tide has turned against him, with figures like Wen Jiabao and Zhang Yuxia becoming key players in Chinese political affairs. Xi is now just playing along, doing whatever he is told.
The CCP recently announced that Xi Jinping will attend the 80th-anniversary commemoration of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression in September. Li Lin still believes that he may be gradually relinquishing power.
Meanwhile, Li Keqiang, who is seen as the weakest Premier in CCP history, seems to have more diplomatic opportunities.
According to reports from CCP official media, on June 23, Li Keqiang welcomed Singaporean Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, accompanying him to review the military honor guard. On June 24, Li separately met with Ecuadorian President Lasso, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Kasymaliyev, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.