Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend next week’s Group of 20 summit in Johannesburg, dealing another setback to host nation South Africa, which is already facing boycotts from President Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei.
China’s Foreign Ministry announced Thursday that Premier Li Qiang will lead Beijing’s delegation when the summit opens on November 22 but gave no reason for Xi’s absence. The Chinese leader attended last year’s G20 but has limited his international travel since the pandemic, appearing mainly at high-level gatherings such as his recent meeting with Trump in South Korea before the APEC summit.
Xi’s withdrawal means the G20 will convene without the leaders of the world’s two largest economies, as well as Russia. Trump said last week that no U.S. officials would attend after accusing South Africa of allowing “genocide against White Afrikaners.” Vladimir Putin remains unable to travel due to an International Criminal Court warrant.
