Xi has skipped a China-supported BRICS summit for the first time. What's the reason?
In a surprising turn of events, Chinese leader Xi Jinping will not attend the 2023 BRICS summit in Brazil, marking the first time since he took office in 2012 that he has missed this significant gathering of emerging economies. The official reason given by Chinese officials is a scheduling conflict, and they also noted that Xi had already met twice with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva within the past year, reducing the urgency for Xi to attend in person.
The implications of Xi's absence are notable for both BRICS and China's foreign policy. For BRICS, Xi's absence may be perceived as a slight or a downgrade in engagement by China, especially since the Brazilian president was expecting Xi's visit as a sign of diplomatic goodwill. However, Premier Li Qiang will lead the Chinese delegation and China has pledged to support Brazil’s BRICS presidency and deepen cooperation within the group.
For China’s foreign policy, the absence may reflect a strategic decision to delegate responsibilities while Xi focuses on other domestic or international priorities. Speculation in media ranges from mundane scheduling issues to rumors about internal political dynamics or health, though no official explanation beyond scheduling has been given. It also signals that China may be managing its diplomatic engagements more selectively, relying on senior officials like Premier Li Qiang for multilateral forums while Xi himself concentrates on key bilateral relations or pressing issues at home.
The BRICS summit, a gathering of major emerging economies, is taking place in Brazil on Sunday. The gathering is taking on greater significance as countries push for a "multipolar world" where power is more distributed. Observers will be tracking how strident BRICS leaders are in promoting the use of national currencies at a meeting where China is the leading member, but US global economic clout still looms large.
Meanwhile, Russia last year proposed the development of a unique cross-border payments system during its hosting of the BRICS club, and Li will also push for the expanded use of China's offshore and digital currency for trade within the BRICS group. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the BRICS summit after Indonesia officially joined the group earlier this year. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are also expected to attend.
A lofty goal of a "BRICS currency" is unlikely to be on the negotiating table at the summit. However, de-dollarization, moving trade and finance to national currencies, is a key focus for many BRICS members, particularly Russia and Iran. Russian President Vladimir Putin will only attend the BRICS summit via video link for reasons related to international law.
The US president, Donald Trump, has threatened to place "100% tariffs" on BRICS countries if they support a BRICS currency or back another currency to replace the US Dollar. This underscores the ongoing global tensions surrounding currency politics and the balance of power in the international economy.
Despite Xi's absence, Beijing continues to emphasize strategic resolve and cooperation within the BRICS group, suggesting the move is more about tactical delegation than a shift in overarching policy goals. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva may not be significantly impacted by Xi's absence, as Xi visited Brazil for the G20 summit and a state visit in November, and Lula visited China in May. Uncertainty remains over whether Saudi Arabia has accepted an invitation to become a full member of BRICS.
In conclusion, while Xi's absence is unprecedented and raises questions about China's level of engagement with BRICS at this moment, the Chinese delegation led by Premier Li Qiang is expected to maintain the strategic resolve and cooperation within the group. The BRICS summit in Brazil promises to be a significant event, with the participating leaders navigating geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties to chart a course for a more multipolar world.
- The world is closely monitoring the 2023 BRICS summit in Brazil, given China's leader Xi Jinping's unexpected absence.
- Xi's decision not to attend the summit marks a first since he took office in 2012.
- Chinese officials have cited a scheduling conflict as the reason for Xi's absence.
- Xi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have met twice within the past year, mitigating the need for an in-person meeting at the BRICS summit.
- Premier Li Qiang will lead the Chinese delegation in Xi's stead, signaling a possible strategic shift in China's foreign policy.
- BRICS members may perceive Xi's absence as a slight, but China has pledged to support Brazil’s BRICS presidency and deepen cooperation within the group.
- The BRICS summit is taking place amidst a push for a "multipolar world" where power is more distributed.
- Observers will be tracking the use of national currencies at the BRICS summit, with China being the leading member.
- Moving trade and finance to national currencies is a key focus for many BRICS members, particularly Russia and Iran.
- Russia last year proposed the development of a unique cross-border payments system.
- Li will also push for the expanded use of China's offshore and digital currency for trade within the BRICS group.
- Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto is expected to attend the BRICS summit after Indonesia officially joined the group.
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa are also expected to attend the summit.
- The idea of a "BRICS currency" is unlikely to be on the negotiating table at the summit.
- De-dollarization, moving trade and finance to national currencies, remains a key focus for many BRICS members.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin will only attend the BRICS summit via video link due to reasons related to international law.
- The US president, Donald Trump, has threatened tariffs on BRICS countries if they support a BRICS currency or back another currency to replace the US Dollar.
- This underscores ongoing global tensions surrounding currency politics and the balance of power in the international economy.
- Despite Xi's absence, Beijing continues to emphasize strategic resolve and cooperation within the BRICS group.
- The absence may signal a shift in overarching policy goals, with Xi focusing on domestic or international priorities.
- Speculation about Xi's absence ranges from scheduling issues to internal political dynamics or health concerns.
- Uncertainty remains over whether Saudi Arabia has accepted an invitation to become a full member of BRICS.
- Xi visited Brazil for the G20 summit and a state visit in November, and Lula visited China in May, which may offset Xi's absence.
- The BRICS summit could chart a course for a more multipolar world, navigating geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.
- In terms of personal growth, mindfulness, and education-and-self-development, Xi's decision to delegate responsibilities could be a valuable lesson in productivity and career-development.
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