I was shocked to learn that Chinese President Xi Jinping had missed the BRICS summit for the first time since he took office. His choice to send Premier Li Qiang in his place feels like a big change for a leader who has continuously exuded power and presence on the international scene. I've been keeping a close eye on world politics, and I can't help but see this action as a reflection of the larger geopolitical chessboard and a window into China's changing priorities. Let's examine the situation and its significance.
A Focus on Home Turf
The official line is that Xi's attention to the Chinese domestic economy is the reason for his absence. That makes a lot of sense, to be honest. Consider the problems in the real estate industry, youth unemployment, and the unpredictability of international commerce as challenges to China's economy. These are problems that affect regular people; they are not merely numbers. You're undoubtedly feeling the pain of these difficulties if you work in Shanghai or own a small business in Guangzhou. As the leader of the Communist Party, Xi is aware that establishing stability and progress at home is essential to his legitimacy. Not surprisingly, he is stepping up domestic planning in anticipation of a significant political gathering later this year.
I saw Xi sitting in Beijing, studying economic reports and planning for that important meeting. At this point, a leader must balance the appearance of international summits with the pressing needs at home. Even while the BRICS summit is significant, he may not believe that it is the most urgent stage at this time. After all, what good is it to show off your strength elsewhere if the home front is unstable? This decision seems reasonable rather than disrespectful.
Is Sending Li Qiang a Downgrade?
Sending Premier Li Qiang rather than Xi himself, according to others, represents a reversal from BRICS. That doesn't make sense to me. Li is not some lightweight; he has been at the forefront of promoting China's economic policies and is a reliable member of Xi's inner circle. His attendance at the summit, if anything, demonstrates China's continued engagement, albeit in a different way. In my opinion, Xi's delegation to concentrate on what he perceives to be the larger picture is more important than weakening BRICS.
Consider this: leaders can still have an impact without physically being present. China's voice will still be heard in the room, and Li Qiang is a good substitute. Trying to read tea leaves into every step, the notion that this is a downgrading feels like Western media hype. It's just a division of work, in my opinion, with Li representing China's interests overseas and Xi handling the heavy lifting at home.
BRICS as a Strategic Counterweight
First, let's discuss why China is interested in BRICS. Beijing has long viewed the group, which consists of South Africa, China, India, Russia, Brazil, and more recent additions like Egypt and Iran, as a means of resisting what it sees as American and allied encirclement. From commercial partnerships like the Quad to military installations in Japan, it is no secret that China feels pressed by American power in Asia. China may use BRICS as a platform to forge an alternative world order in which it can mobilize other countries and demonstrate its economic might.
Here's where it gets intriguing, though: according to some observers, Xi's absence may indicate that encirclement worries have somewhat subsided. The United States is less predictable as a global hegemon now that President Trump's trade policies—think tariffs and an emphasis on "America First"—are upending the status quo. This might provide China some leeway and lessen the need for BRICS to act as a check on it. This viewpoint is persuasive to me. China may believe it can afford to approach groups like BRICS more calmly if the United States is preoccupied with its own economic disputes.
De-Dollarization and Digital Dreams
China's priorities are clearly shown by the summit's agenda. For the BRICS nations, particularly China and Russia, de-dollarization—the process of lowering reliance on the US dollar in international trade—has been a hot topic. This is strategic as well as economic for China. Because of the dollar's dominance, the United States has enormous authority over everything from sanctions to global financial flow regulation. China is attempting to increase its share in the global financial market by promoting alternatives, such as its own digital yuan.
I have to say that this ambition is admirable. Trade within and outside of BRICS might be streamlined with a digital yuan, which would speed up transactions and reduce reliance on Western financial institutions. Consider a scenario in which a Brazilian farmer sells soybeans to China, and the money is sent by digital yuan, completely avoiding SWIFT and American institutions. Although it's a daring vision, there are risks involved. India and other BRICS countries may not be willing to switch from one dominating currency to another since they have their own goals. Furthermore, the digital yuan is still developing; infrastructure and trust must catch up.
Another major topic on the summit's agenda is energy cooperation, and it's clear why China is interested. It makes sense to diversify sources and secure steady supplies given its enormous energy requirements. Energy-heavy BRICS nations like Saudi Arabia (a recent addition) and Russia may offer China better bargains if they strengthen their relationship. It's the kind of long-term, pragmatic thinking that can proceed without Xi's actual presence.
What Does This Mean for the World?
Xi's absence from the BRICS summit is a global issue, not just a Chinese one. It indicates a leader who is strategic enough to know when to back off, focused enough to prioritize, and self-assured enough to delegate. Whether in Beijing or Brazil, it serves as a reminder to the general public that international politics is more than simply photo ops and handshakes. It comes down to decisions on where to put time, money, and political capital.
In my view, China is playing the long game, as seen by Xi's decision. It is readjusting its strategy rather than withdrawing from the global arena. China's strategy to restructure international alliances still heavily relies on BRICS, but Xi appears to think that the actual work is being done at home. How China handles its own issues and whether BRICS can deliver on lofty goals like de-dollarization will determine whether that wager is successful.
The interconnectedness of our planet strikes me as I think about this. Although Xi's absence may not seem like much, it has a big impact on relationships, trade, and currency. It serves as a reminder that leaders have an impact even when they are not there. And those ripples are more like waves to China, a nation that is increasingly influencing the world order.
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