- Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend the upcoming Brics summit in Rio de Janeiro, marking his first absence from the annual gathering since 2013.
- Beijing cited a scheduling conflict for Mr Xi's non-attendance, with premier Li Qiang expected to represent China instead at the summit scheduled for 6-7 July.
- Speculation suggests Mr Xi's withdrawal might be linked to Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's invitation for a state dinner to Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, potentially making Mr Xi appear as a supporting actor.
- Brazilian officials declined to comment on Mr Xi's absence, but Brazil is reportedly upset by the last-minute pull-out.
- Despite Mr Xi's absence, China has pledged its diplomatic support to Brazil's presidency of the Brics talks, emphasising cooperation among member nations.
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