Media: Xi Jinping to skip G-20 summit in South Africa, along with Trump

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg later this month, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on November 13.

Premier Li Qiang will represent China at the meeting, which begins on November 22. No reason was given for Xi’s absence, Caliber.Az reports per Bloomberg. 

The decision marks a setback for host South Africa, which is already facing a boycott from US President Donald Trump. His administration earlier said no US officials would attend, following Trump’s criticism of South Africa over its "treatment of White Afrikaners." Russian President Vladimir Putin is also expected to miss the event due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant restricting his travel.

Xi’s limited international travel since the pandemic has focused on high-level meetings with key leaders, such as his encounter with Trump in South Korea last month. Beijing has described his current approach as “home-court diplomacy,” emphasising regional engagement. Xi hosted Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un earlier this year.

Analysts say Xi’s absence does not signal reduced importance of the G-20 to Beijing.

“I don’t see any drop off in their view that those global governance institutions are important avenues for China to communicate its message,” said Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the Johannesburg gathering “carries significant historical importance” as the first G-20 summit on African soil and voiced support for South Africa’s role as chair.

Li, China’s No. 2 official, has frequently stood in for Xi at major global events, including the 2023 G-20 summit in India and the BRICS meeting in Brazil earlier this year.

By Sabina Mammadli