Xi Pingjing will miss the upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi, as will Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Commenting to reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Xi Jinping’s non-attendance at the event, Joe Biden said the following:
I am disappointed, but I’m gonna get to see him.
On August 22, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Biden will fly to New Delhi, India, from September 7 to 10 to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
At the upcoming meeting, according to the White House, G20 partners will discuss global issues, including fighting poverty, the transition to clean energy, climate change tackling, and mitigating the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine.
The last time Biden and Xi personally met each other at the previous G20 summit hosted in Bali, Indonesia, in November 2022. However, relations between the countries deteriorated earlier this year after an alleged Chinese spy craft was spotted in the United States of America. In an attempt to mend tensions, Biden sent several diplomats to China, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
Subsequently, Biden described Xi as a “dictator”, referring, among other cases, to disputes between China and India over border territories. Three years ago, border tensions led to a brawl in the Ladakh region that led to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese.
Today, the situation has further worsened after it became clear about the growing trade and strategic ties between India and the United States – China’s main rival. As a result, both India and China expelled each other’s journalists.
Instead of Xi Jinping, Li Qiang will represent China at the G20 summit, according to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Asked by a reporter what the President of the United States wants to achieve in India and Vietnam, Biden said he wanted more coordination.
I think they both want closer relations with the United States, and that could be very helpful.
