China's Xi faces 'embarrassing moment' at BRICS as his bodyguard stopped by security

On Wednesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with an embarrassing moment after his bodyguard was tackled for abruptly following his boss. The Chinese leader was walking down a red carpet as Xi Jinping along with other prominent leaders from developing nations took part in the 15th edition of the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group which comprises countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa announced its expansion on Thursday to include six new nations from Latin America, Africa and Asia.   

The incident took place when the Chinese leader was entering a conference hall to attend the plenary session of BRICS. The 70-year-old president entered the premises while his bodyguard failed to follow him on time. His bodyguard later noticed the distance between him and Xi. As soon as he started running, the security at the location tackled him thinking that he posed a risk to the Chinese Communist Party leader. The video of the incident instantly went viral online. 

South African Security Officers physically stopped Chinese Officials from entering BRICS main venue behind Xi Jinping. Forcibly shut the door.🤣🤣🤣#Prigojine #Prigozhin #republicanDebate #Wagner #BRICSSummit2023 #XiJinping #BRICS #BRICSSummit2023 #BRICSSummit #ChinaNews #China pic.twitter.com/dY4CgLZadq

— Mr. R V (@Havoc3010) August 24, 2023

Chinese leader unexpectedly skips one of the BRICS event

The Chinese leader unexpectedly remained absent from the BRICS Business Forum which took place on Tuesday night. Neither the Chinese media nor the administration gave any explanation for his absence. At the forum, his speech was read by the country’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. On the other hand, Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry tweeted hours after the event and stated that the Chinese leader did give an address at the session.

“President Xi Jinping delivered an address at the closing ceremony of the #BRICS Business Forum 2023. President Xi said changes in the world, in our times and in history are unfolding in ways like never before, bringing human society to a critical juncture,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, sharing a picture showing a crowded conference hall with the Chinese leader nowhere to be found.

Prior to the event, Xi conducted a bilateral discussion with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in which he affirmed the need to strengthen ties between the two nations.   

President Xi Jinping delivered an address at the closing ceremony of the #BRICS Business Forum 2023. President Xi said changes in the world, in our times and in history are unfolding in ways like never before, bringing human society to a critical juncture. pic.twitter.com/upDbRSlkjl

— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) August 22, 2023