Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to skip the upcoming G20 leaders’ summit in India, dampening hopes for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.
This move could also be interpreted as a slight against host India, indicating China’s reluctance to confer influence on its fast-growing southern neighbour while China’s own economic growth moderates.
Premier Li Qiang is projected to represent Beijing at the September 9-10 gathering in New Delhi, as disclosed by two Indian officials and backed by sources from another G20 nation, according to reports by Reuters.
Spokespersons for the Indian and Chinese foreign ministries refrained from commenting on the matter.
Li is additionally expected to attend an assembly of leaders from East and Southeast Asian nations in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 5 to 7, as reported by Kyodo.
Initially deemed a possible platform for a Xi-Biden meeting, the India summit aims to mend strained relations between the two superpowers due to trade and geopolitical disputes. President Biden, who has confirmed his attendance, previously engaged with Xi during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November.
President Vladimir Putin of Russia has already opted out of the New Delhi summit, designating Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as his representative.
A senior Indian government official confirmed that Xi’s absence is anticipated, with Premier Li as the likely substitute. Similarly, sources from China, including foreign diplomats and another G20 country’s government official, indicated that Xi is unlikely to attend the summit.
Although informed by Chinese officials, these sources were not privy to the reason behind Xi’s expected nonattendance.
