Prior to the G20 meeting in Delhi, Xi was scheduled to travel to Jakarta for the ASEAN summit, where China also has to put out diplomatic flames. The new Chinese map has drawn criticism from four ASEAN nations for cartographically invading their maritime territories. Malaysia and the Philippines, out of the four, have disregarded racial factors and a vulnerable military position.
Source: The Economic Times
They have rejected Beijing’s advice to India, the country that raised the first objection, not to overreact to the map. There may never be a formal justification for Xi’s decision to stand out by going missing. He would not have received the same attention as at the BRICS conference in South Africa last month, it is true. There, a special summit between China and Africa and the unique honor of a state visit accentuated his presence. However, Xi mysteriously chose to miss a significant leaders’ gathering in South Africa.
Source: India Today
Similar to ASEAN, Xi would have encountered fierce opposition at the G20 summit. Beijing has fierce geopolitical and trade disputes with other group members in addition to the host India. Moscow’s cause would have been better served if Xi had been present at the summit given that China is the only G20 ally of Russia that has remained steady on the Ukraine crisis.
If Xi’s decision was influenced by the need to avoid hostilities, India can present itself at the summit as the only responsible developing global power. Xi’s absence might turn out to be advantageous for PM Modi as value chains move away from China.
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