• Source:JND
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In a surprising move, Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, marking the first time in 12 years he has skipped the annual gathering of the world’s leading emerging economies. His absence is especially notable given his central role in expanding and promoting the BRICS alliance as a counterweight to the Western-dominated global order.

The BRICS bloc, initially composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has expanded since 2024 to include Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran. The Rio summit will be the first major gathering of the 11-member grouping in this new expanded format. Yet, Xi’s decision to stay away has triggered a wave of speculation and global media attention.

China Cites Scheduling Conflict, But Doubts Remain

According to Chinese state media, Premier Li Qiang will attend in Xi’s place, citing a “scheduling conflict” as the official reason. This explanation has done little to quell speculation. Observers have noted that Li’s own public appearances have decreased in recent weeks, with his last major diplomatic engagement being meetings with the prime ministers of Singapore and New Zealand in late June.

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Rumours surrounding Xi’s absence range from political troubles within the Communist Party to possible health issues. Some suggest he may be facing internal challenges from rival factions, while others point to possible medical concerns related to his age, Xi turns 72 this year. None of these claims have been officially confirmed, and China remains silent on the matter, deepening the mystery.

Multiple BRICS Leaders To Miss the Summit

Xi’s decision comes at a time when BRICS is navigating major global challenges. The alliance is increasingly seen as a strategic counterbalance to US and Western influence, particularly with the growing coordination among China, Russia, and Iran. However, neither Russian President Vladimir Putin nor Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian will be physically attending the summit either. Putin will join via video link due to his international legal troubles, while Pezeshkian’s absence is attributed to the aftermath of Iran’s recent 12-day conflict with Israel.

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India, South Africa, Indonesia To Lead The Show

Despite these absences, several key leaders are expected in Rio. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is confirmed to attend both the summit and a state visit to Brazil. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Indonesia’s newly elected President Prabowo Subianto are also likely to participate.