Why Xi Jinping Skipped the 2025 BRICS Summit and What It Means for Global Power

Chinese President Xi Jinping at a diplomatic event, looking away from a BRICS banner — symbolizing his absence from the 2025 summit in Brazil.
Why Xi Jinping Skipped the 2025 BRICS Summit: Deeper Implications

In an unusual move that caught global attention, Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen not to attend the 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro — marking the first time in his leadership he has missed the event.

His absence comes at a moment of growing uncertainty in the international system, with tensions between the United States and BRICS countries at a boiling point. President Trump’s recent escalation of tariffs and the fallout from US military actions in the Middle East have shaken diplomatic foundations.

Xi’s decision to send Premier Li Qiang in his place, though not a diplomatic snub, signals a shift in Beijing’s strategic calculus. China appears focused inward — dealing with its economic slowdown and preparing for a pivotal political conclave later this year. Internally, China faces pressure from youth unemployment, supply chain decoupling, and the ongoing challenge of sustaining post-COVID growth.

Observers believe that BRICS, despite its symbolic weight, may not be Xi’s highest priority this year. Yet, China remains committed to the bloc’s core mission — reshaping global governance and reducing Western dominance. With new members like Indonesia, Iran, and Ethiopia recently joining BRICS+, the summit continues to carry weight in the Global South.

Notably, Xi's ally Vladimir Putin will also not attend in person, appearing via video due to international arrest warrants. This leaves India’s PM Narendra Modi and South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa with more visibility in Rio. Brazil's President Lula, hosting the summit, must now navigate a forum missing two of its biggest players.

China’s broader agenda remains clear: deeper energy ties, pushing use of its digital yuan in trade, and reinforcing BRICS as a counterbalance to G7 and NATO. While a full BRICS currency remains distant, Beijing supports de-dollarization as a long-term ambition.

This year’s summit might not deliver groundbreaking announcements, but the symbolic signals are loud. China is repositioning — not retreating. And its quiet moves might say more than a high-profile speech ever could.

For bold and honest reporting on world power shifts, follow Africa Top Daily — where Africa meets global affairs.

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