Xi Jinping’s absence from G20 frustrates European leaders eager for time with China’s decision maker

• European leaders’ efforts to gain a diplomatic foothold with China have been frustrated by President Xi Jinping’s decision to skip this week’s G20 summit in New Delhi.
• Capitals are increasingly of the view that Xi alone calls the shots in today’s China, and that time with him is a precious opportunity to pitch a Eurocentric view of key issues, starting with Ukraine, that he is unlikely to hear from his small pool of advisers.
• No reason has been given for Xi’s absence, leaving Europe bubbling with rumours ranging from China’s domestic economic woes, to simmering Sino-Indian tensions, or a Chinese effort to undermine the forum after the Beijing-sponsored expansion of Brics last month.

External Link : https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3233544/xi-jinpings-absence-g20-frustrates-european-leaders-eager-time-chinas-decision-maker?module=lead_hero_story&pgtype=homepage