Xi Jinping to Miss BRICS Summit for First Time

Chinese Premier Li Qiang will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 5 to 8, marking the first time President Xi Jinping will not be present since he assumed power, with no official explanation given for his absence. The summit features an expanded BRICS membership, now including Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the UAE, representing over 40% of global GDP and half of the world's population. Russian President Vladimir Putin will also not attend due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant. Xi's and Putin's absences are seen as setbacks for further diplomatic engagement, particularly between China and India amid ongoing border disputes. The summit will focus on strengthening economic cooperation, multilateralism, and asserting the interests of developing nations as a counterweight to Western-led groups like the G7. Following the summit, Premier Li will make an official visit to Egypt, underlining China's ongoing diplomatic outreach.