Xi's missed speech at BRICS event sparks speculation

Chinese president attends Wednesday meetings after absence deemed 'very odd'

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at the BRICS Summit location in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Aug. 23, after skipping a scheduled speech the previous day. © Reuters

CISSY ZHOU, Nikkei staff writer

August 23, 2023 19:02 JST

Updated on August 23, 2023 20:02 JST

HONG KONG -- Chinese President Xi Jinping's mysterious absence from a business event at the BRICS summit in South Africa has sparked a flurry of speculation, as he had been scheduled to deliver a speech.

Xi arrived in Johannesburg late on Monday for a state visit and this week's gathering of leaders from the BRICS -- a loose grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. This is only Xi's second overseas visit this year, after a trip to Russia in March.