CNN —China on Monday issued the clearest sign yet its leader Xi Jinping will skip an important gathering of world leaders in New Delhi this weekend, as it confirmed Premier Li Qiang will be traveling to the event.
Xi’s attendance at the G20 summit was thrown into doubt last week when Reuters reported that he was likely to miss it, citing two unnamed Indian diplomats.
Beijing’s announcement came after US President Joe Biden publicly expressed disappointment that he will not see Xi at the summit.
“I am disappointed – but I’m going to get to see him,” Biden told reporters on Sunday.
Biden had previously told CNN he would be meeting with Xi in “the fall.”They last spoke on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali last November.
Persons:
Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Li, Xi, Mao Ning, sidestepped, ” Mao, Joe Biden, –, ” Biden, Biden, ”
Organizations:
CNN, Reuters, China’s Foreign Ministry, Sunday
Locations:
China, New Delhi, “, Bali