China signals Xi Jinping will not attend G20 summit

China indicated this Monday (September 4, 2023) that the country’s president, Xi Jinping, will not attend the G20 summit, scheduled for September 9 and 10 in New Delhi, India. There is no information if the leader will participate virtually.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters that Premier Li Qiang would lead the Asian nation’s delegation.

“During this year’s G20 summit, Premier Li Qiang will share China’s views and proposals on G20 cooperation. It will also promote greater solidarity and cooperation among G20 countries and a joint response to global economic and development challenges.”these.

Mao, however, did not detail the reason for Xi Jinping’s absence, although he was asked about the issue.

ABSENCE OF PUTIN

Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not attend the summit in person. The Kremlin did not say why Putin was absent. During a telephone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Russian leader said that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov would represent him.

Putin also did not attend the BRICS summit, held from August 22 to 24, in Johannesburg (South Africa). It was the 1st time that the Russian president missed the meeting.

At the time, Putin’s non-attendance was due to the risk of him being arrested for war crimes against Ukraine. The Russian leader has an arrest warrant issued by the ICC (International Criminal Court), headquartered in The Hague (Netherlands).

As a signatory to the Rome Statute, which created the Court, South Africa would be obliged to comply with the mandate as soon as Putin entered the country. Unlike the South Africans, India is not a signatory to the deal, so it would not need to arrest the Russian president.