China's Xi Jinping skips his key speech at BRICS business forum, sparking speculations

On the first day of the BRICS Summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping stirred headlines after he unexpectedly skipped the business forum of the BRICS summit. The economic group that comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa is conducting its 15th session in Johannesburg, South Africa. As a part of the four-day event, the BRICS conducted its business forum on Tuesday. The leaders of the four-member nations delivered a speech at the summit. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin joined the session virtually. However, the only leader who did not give an address at the forum was Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

While the Chinese leader skipped the event, his speech was read out by his commerce minister, Wang Wentao who managed to decry the US hegemony in the fiery speech, CNN reported.  The Chinese President’s participation becomes important since this is his second international trip of the year. He arrived in Johannesburg on Monday, which gave him a head start compared to other leaders who arrived in the South African city on Tuesday. 

According to CNN, Xi Jinping failed to show up at the event with no official announcement or explanation from Beijing. However, in his speech delivered by Wentao, he urged the world to avoid sleepwalking “into the abyss of a new cold war”. In an indirect swipe, Wentao stated that “some nations are obsessed” with maintaining hegemony. 

No explanation for the absence

Neither the Chinese government nor the state media provided any reason behind Xi’s absence. On the other hand, Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry hours after the event said 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 sharing a picture showing a crowded conference with the Chinese leader nowhere to be found. Prior to the event, Xi conducted a bilateral discussion with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and even took part in the plenary session of the BRICS summit which was organised on Wednesday.

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)

Uniting for progress and enhanced cooperation.

PM @narendramodi with other BRICS leaders in a memorable frame ahead of the 15th BRICS Summit. pic.twitter.com/hcghMtk1De

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia)