Xi skips speech on economy at BRICS summitBloombergChinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) failed to attend a business forum in South Africa where he was expected to deliver a speech defending China’s economy and its support for emerging markets, as fears mount that the Asian nation’s struggles could cause global turbulence. Instead, delegates were greeted on stage by Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao (王文濤), who read the speech without giving an explanation for Xi’s absence. “The Chinese economy has strong resilience, tremendous potential and great vitality. Photo: AFPHours later, Xi attended a dinner with the leaders of South Africa, Brazil and India, and Russia’s foreign minister, who are in Johannesburg for the annual BRICS summit of emerging market powers. Prior to South Africa, the Chinese leader had spent just two days overseas this year, when he visited Russia.

Source: Taipei Times August 24, 2023 09:13 UTC