Chinese President Xi Jinping, 72, did not attend the BRICS summit held on 6 July 2025 at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for the first time. This is his first absence after assuming power in 2012. China’s Foreign Ministry described it as a “schedule conflict”, and was replaced by Premier Lee Kiang. This incident raised many questions: Is Xi leaving power?
There can be many reasons behind this absence. First, China’s economic condition is worrying. Industrial gains in May 2025 fell 9.1%, the property market is weak, and trade tension with the US is increasing. Xi is probably focusing on domestic issues and important political meetings to be held at the end of 2025. Second, some experts, such as Gordon Chang, say that Xi’s military control may weaken or their citizens are becoming rival powerful. Recently, the changes in the rules of the Communist Party have intensified the speculation of transfer of power.
Third, the inclusion of new members – Mis, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and others in the BRICS group has increased ideological and strategic differences. Xi probably decided to avoid less effective summit. Fourth, XI would have felt that her role is decreasing by Brazil’s invitation to the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, that her role is decreasing. His meeting with Brazilian President Lula recently probably reduced the need for this visit.
Rumors of Xi’s health or power were raised on social media, but there was no concrete evidence. Lee will promote energy cooperation and digital currency at the Kiang summit. She can take a virtual share, as Russia’s Putin. Their absence may affect China’s leadership in the global south, but it is not clear that leaving power.