China's Xi Jinping unexpectedly skipped a speech at a BRICS summit aimed at challenging dollar dominance

Wed, 08/23/2023 - 16:22

Xi Putin — Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with China's President Xi Jinping at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21, 2023.
MIKHAIL TERESHCHENKO/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images

Chinese President Xi Jinping unexpectedly missed a scheduled speech at this week's BRICS summit.
China's commerce minister stood in for the speech instead, commenting on the US's economic dominance.
Xi was the only BRICS leader who didn't make an appearance, with even Russia's Putin delivering comments virtually.

President Xi Jinping unexpectedly missed a speech he was slated to give at a BRICS forum in South Africa, with no explanation from Chinese officials regarding his absence.