President Xi Jinping Shocks World Leaders by Skipping G20 Summit Amidst Inner Party Turmoil and Economic Crisis

In a surprising move, President Xi Jinping has announced that he will not attend the upcoming G20 summit in India. This is the first time that Xi has skipped a G20 summit, highlighting the significance he has placed on these meetings throughout his leadership. Premier Li Qiang will be attending in his place. The decision to skip the G20 summit may be linked to the recent Beidaihe meeting, an annual gathering of incumbent and retired leaders of the Chinese Communist Party. Details of this year's closed-door talks have started to emerge, revealing a different atmosphere compared to previous meetings.

Sources suggest that a group of retired party elders reprimanded Xi and questioned him in ways they haven't done before. This criticism, coming from influential figures like former President Jiang Zemin, highlights the concerns of these elders about the political, economic, and social turmoil in China. During the Beidaihe meeting, these elders delivered a clear message to the current leaders, including Xi, that if effective countermeasures are not taken to address the turmoil, it could threaten the party's rule. Former vice president Zeng Qinghong, a close aide to former President Jiang, played a central role in conveying this message.

Xi's frustration with the criticism from the elders led him to blame his predecessors, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang, and Hu, for leaving behind unresolved issues that burden his leadership. He expressed his concern to his closest aides and emphasized that it was their responsibility to resolve these issues. This internal political shake-up comes at a time when China is facing significant economic challenges. The country's economy is facing a recession unseen since the late 1970s, with the real estate sector in shambles and a deteriorating youth unemployment rate.

The military is also experiencing turmoil, with the removal of top Rocket Force generals and the sudden dismissal of Foreign Minister Qin Gang. China's economic struggles have strained its relations with the world, resulting in sluggish trade and declining foreign investment. Xi's decision to skip the G20 summit can be seen as an attempt to save face amidst these challenges.

Premier Li, who is responsible for China's troubled economy, will be attending the summit and is expected to address these concerns. Overall, this unexpected development highlights the complex dynamics within Chinese politics and the challenges faced by Xi's leadership. The criticism from party elders and the economic difficulties China is currently experiencing add pressure to an already precarious situation. The outcome of the G20 summit and the actions taken by Premier Li will be closely watched to gauge China's response to these challenges.