The Chinese Communist Party has officially confirmed that party leader Xi Jinping will be absent from the upcoming “BRICS” summit in Rio de Janeiro later this month, with Prime Minister Li Keqiang attending in his place. This will be Xi’s first absence from a BRICS summit, and the reason for his absence has sparked speculation.
The spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 2nd that Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang has been invited to attend the 17th meeting of BRICS leaders in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 5th to 8th. Additionally, Li Keqiang will make an official visit to Egypt from July 9th to 10th.
The South China Morning Post cited sources on June 25th revealing Xi Jinping’s absence from the summit. It was reported that Beijing informed the Brazilian government of a scheduling conflict for Xi. Officials mentioned that Xi had met Brazilian President Lula twice in less than a year, first during the G20 summit last November and a state visit to Brasilia, and then in May during the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing.
The report also suggested that Lula’s invitation to Indian Prime Minister Modi to attend a post-BRICS summit banquet might have influenced Beijing’s decision, as Xi Jinping could be seen as a secondary player at the summit.
However, some believe that Xi Jinping’s absence from the summit may have another reason.
Former Inner Mongolia official Du Wen previously told NTD Television that the BRICS meeting is a significant diplomatic achievement for Xi Jinping, who has always attended BRICS meetings over the years. Du stated that Xi’s absence is abnormal, suggesting that “personally, I think there could be health issues.”
Xi Jinping attended the BRICS summit in South Africa in August 2023, where his interpreter was reportedly taken away roughly.
Du Wen commented that during the BRICS summit in South Africa, Xi was left with a psychological shadow, feeling embarrassed with sudden lack of security and translation. This time, he may have given way for Li Keqiang to attend.
Commentator Li Linyi told Da Ji Yuan that the BRICS summit is one of the places where Xi Jinping is most willing to show his face, as it is an occasion where the Chinese Communist Party believes it can show leadership even internationally. He explained the difference between this and the G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023, where Xi felt overshadowed by Indian Prime Minister Modi and thus reluctant to attend.
Li Linyi suggested that considering there shouldn’t be any scheduling issues this time, Xi Jinping’s absence from the summit is likely due to inconveniences in his foreign visits.
In May this year, Da Ji Yuan learned from authoritative sources that despite Xi Jinping’s surface presence, his power is waning, with CCP elders like Wen Jiabao and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission Zhang Youxia becoming key players in shaping China’s political landscape. Xi is now merely following the script, taking orders on what to do, including trips abroad.
China expert Wang He told NTD Television that Li Keqiang’s increased involvement in foreign affairs and international conferences signifies a normalization of China’s political situation following Xi Jinping’s decline in power.
Wang He also believes that Xi Jinping’s recent public appearances in China are part of a show to comply with those actually in control of the CCP. While the political situation in the CCP appears stable on the surface, Wang suggests that there may be a significant storm brewing behind the scenes.