Xi Jinping Attends G20 Summit via Video Conference... Likely to Miss COP26 as Well

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] Chinese President Xi Jinping plans to attend the upcoming G20 summit held in Rome, Italy, on the 30th and 31st (local time) via video.

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced this on the 29th, Bloomberg reported.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying stated, "In response to the request of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, President Xi Jinping will attend the G20 summit via video from Beijing and deliver an important speech."

Since early last year when COVID-19 spread, President Xi has not traveled abroad. His last overseas trip was a visit to Myanmar in January last year.

With this, President Xi has become the longest-staying leader in his own country among G20 heads of state since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

It is also widely expected that President Xi will not attend the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which begins on the 31st.

In particular, as the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics approach and China tightens its COVID-19 prevention measures, analysts suggest that President Xi's absence from the in-person G20 meetings is due to concerns over the COVID-19 situation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.