China has confirmed that Premier Li Qiang will attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 5 to 8, marking a notable departure as President Xi Jinping will not participate for the first time in 12 years. The summit arrives at a pivotal moment following BRICS’ expansion to include five new members, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, enhancing the bloc’s influence among emerging economies. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also attend. The event is seen as a critical platform to bolster multilateralism, promote equitable global economic governance, and strengthen cooperation amid evolving geopolitical dynamics.
China’s Delegation Shift and Its Implications
In an unexpected development, China announced that Premier Li Qiang will represent the country at the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil. This is the first instance since President Xi Jinping assumed power in 2013 that he will not attend the annual gathering of the bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed the decision during a press briefing, declining to elaborate on the reasons behind Xi’s absence. Analysts interpret this as a strategic delegation adjustment rather than a diplomatic setback. Premier Li’s presence signals continuity in Beijing’s engagement with the BRICS agenda while allowing Xi to focus on domestic priorities and other international commitments.
The Expanded BRICS and Geopolitical Context
The Rio summit is particularly significant as it will be the first gathering after the expansion of BRICS, now incorporating five new members: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This enlargement substantially enhances BRICS’ geopolitical weight and economic potential, positioning the group as a more diverse and representative coalition of emerging markets and developing nations.
India, represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to play a pivotal role in the summit. The last meeting between Modi and Xi at the Kazan BRICS summit in Russia in 2024 was a milestone, breaking a four-year diplomatic impasse stemming from border tensions. The Rio summit may either pave the way for further normalization or, at minimum, set the tone for engagement through multilateral platforms.
BRICS as a Platform for Multipolar Global Governance
Mao Ning emphasized BRICS’ importance as the premier forum for cooperation among emerging economies, underscoring its role in fostering a multipolar international order and advancing inclusive globalization. With the inclusion of new members and partner countries, the summit aims to reinforce BRICS as a strategic force in global governance reforms.
China’s current chairmanship of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) also aligns with this vision, hinting that future high-level interactions between Chinese and Indian leadership may occur at the SCO summit later this year.
Outlook and Strategic Priorities
The 2025 BRICS Summit is poised to highlight key themes such as multilateralism, sustainable development, and the pursuit of equitable economic growth. China’s commitment to reinforcing the strategic partnership within BRICS indicates its intent to drive high-quality development within the bloc and enhance collaboration on global challenges.
For India, the summit represents both an opportunity to engage with a broader coalition of emerging economies and to navigate complex bilateral relations with China in a multilateral setting.
Conclusion
China’s decision to delegate Premier Li Qiang to the BRICS Summit marks a nuanced shift in diplomatic posturing, reflective of broader strategic calculations amid evolving geopolitical landscapes. As the BRICS coalition broadens its membership and influence, the Rio summit will serve as a crucial venue to recalibrate cooperation among emerging powers, reaffirm commitments to multilateralism, and shape the trajectory of global economic governance in the coming years.
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