Why Xi Jinping's BRICS No-Show Marks a Pivotal Moment for Global Power Shifts
So here’s something that’s making waves across global politics right now: Chinese President Xi Jinping has decided not to attend the BRICS 2025 summit in Brazil. And this is the first time he’s missed it since coming to power more than a decade ago. For a summit that China has historically backed and helped shape, his absence is catching a lot of attention—and raising eyebrows.
BRICS—standing for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—used to be a tight group of emerging economies positioning themselves as a counterbalance to the G7. But as of last year, the club expanded rapidly, welcoming countries like Iran, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and potentially Saudi Arabia. That expansion has made the group more global, yes—but also more complex and, frankly, more divided.
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Xi sending Premier Li Qiang in his place doesn’t mean China is stepping back from BRICS. It’s likely more about timing, domestic priorities, and possibly low expectations for big wins at this summit. China’s dealing with a tricky economic situation at home—post-pandemic recovery issues, trade tensions with the U.S., and major domestic reforms ahead of a critical political conclave later this year. Xi might be choosing to focus inward for now.
But let's not overlook the broader picture. This summit comes just as the U.S., under President Trump, is once again shaking up global trade with a wave of tariffs that could hit BRICS members hard. For China, BRICS has been a platform to position itself as the leader of the Global South—a stabilizing force, and an alternative to U.S.-led Western alliances. Skipping this summit does mean forfeiting a golden opportunity to reinforce that image.
It’s also worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin is also not attending in person—he’s joining virtually, mainly because of that ICC arrest warrant over Ukraine war crimes. With both Putin and Xi absent, the spotlight now shifts to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Lula da Silva, who are expected to use the stage to push for inclusive global governance and stronger South-South cooperation.
The irony is, BRICS was supposed to symbolize a shift toward a multipolar world—away from U.S. hegemony. And yet, without its two most powerful players in the room, its coherence as a political and economic bloc is under scrutiny. Some members are uneasy with the group’s autocratic tilt, especially after the expansion, and conflicting interests are starting to show. For example, India opposes the idea of a BRICS currency—something Brazil once championed but Trump vocally condemned.
So what now? Well, BRICS remains important, especially for countries facing Western sanctions like Russia and Iran. There’s growing talk about moving trade away from the U.S. dollar—de-dollarization—by using local currencies or digital alternatives. But the idea of a unified BRICS currency? That’s probably staying on the shelf for now.
In short, Xi’s absence isn’t just a scheduling detail. It’s symbolic. It underscores the challenges BRICS faces in evolving from a loose coalition into a real geopolitical counterforce. It reflects China’s shifting focus and perhaps doubts about what BRICS can realistically deliver in this moment.
It’s definitely one to watch—because as global alliances realign and power continues to decentralize, what happens at BRICS could shape the next chapter of international order.
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