China signals Xi Jinping will not attend G20 summit in India

    Xi Jinping's absence from the upcoming G20 summit in Delhi has sent shockwaves through the global stage. It marks a significant departure from tradition, as this will be the first time since the inaugural summit in 2008 that a Chinese leader will not grace the event with their presence. Even in the trying times of the pandemic, Xi made virtual appearances in 2020 and 2021, but this year, his seat will remain empty.

US President Joe Biden had expressed hope for Xi's attendance, but such hopes now seem distant, with reports casting doubts on the Chinese leader's participation. This development carries profound implications, not only for the diplomatic landscape but also for the host country, India, which is currently embroiled in border disputes with China. It hints at complex geopolitical maneuvering, with China aiming to bolster alternative multilateral groups like the Brics summit, in stark contrast to US-dominated organizations such as the G20 and G7.

China's announcement that Premier Li Qiang would lead the delegation essentially confirmed Xi's absence. It's highly improbable that both of China's top leaders would be absent from the country simultaneously, let alone missing the same international event. This decision carries a clear message: Xi Jinping is strategically sidestepping the Western-centric G20 to emphasize the rise of the East over the perceived fall of the West.

The reasons behind this conspicuous absence are multifaceted. Some suggest it could be a deliberate effort to avoid a potentially contentious meeting with Japan's Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, particularly amid Japan's Fukushima wastewater controversy. Alternatively, it may signify solidarity with Russia's Vladimir Putin, who is also skipping the G20 and faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes.

Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, amid their attempts to mend strained relations, last met face-to-face in November, on the fringes of the G20 in Indonesia. The absence of Xi at this year's G20 carries an emotional weight, underscoring the complexities and shifting dynamics of global politics.

As the world watches, President Biden's absence from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Indonesia has raised eyebrows, with Vice-President Kamala Harris representing the United States in his place. However, Biden is set to embark on a journey to Vietnam immediately after the G20 summit, ensuring that his presence is felt on the international stage.

In the midst of this geopolitical dance, the tension between the United States and China continues to escalate. At a press conference in Beijing on Monday, China's Mao took aim at the United States, accusing it of adopting a "zero-sum cold war mentality" in its dealings with Asian nations. She called for adherence to the core principles of international relations, a plea to refrain from targeting third parties, and a commitment not to disrupt the peace, stability, and progress of the region.

Biden's enigmatic statement on Sunday, where he mentioned he was going to "get to see him" in reference to Xi Jinping, left many wondering about the nature of their upcoming interaction. Another pivotal summit looms on the horizon, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco scheduled for November.

In the heart of the Indo-Pacific, China and the United States are locked in a fierce struggle for influence. Yet, conspicuously absent from the ASEAN summit are both Xi and Biden. Xi Jinping, it seems, is crafting his own narrative, where the preservation of national security takes precedence, compelling foreign leaders to make pilgrimages to him on Chinese soil, rather than the other way around, as noted by Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

However, should Xi choose to skip the APEC summit, it would be a seismic shift, considering the extensive preparations made by the United States. Such a decision would cast a long shadow over China's future and its international standing, particularly in the context of its ongoing need for foreign investment.

As these world leaders converge on the G20 stage, the absence of Xi Jinping and Joe Biden has become a poignant symbol of the shifting sands of global diplomacy, each decision carrying profound implications for the future of nations and their place in an ever-evolving world order. Among the notable attendees are the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, adding to the mosaic of international relations and power dynamics at play.