China confirms Premier Li Qiang — not President Xi — to attend G20 Summit in Joburg

The People's Republic of China has confirmed that Premier Li Qiang will represent Beijing at the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg later this month, announcing that President Xi Jinping will not attend the high-level gathering.

In a report by Xinhua, published on the State Council Information Office of China website on Thursday, November 13, 2025, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced that Li will attend the G20 meeting at the invitation of the South African government.

According to the report, Li will also travel to Moscow for the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) on November 17 and 18, before making an official visit to Zambia on November 19 and 20.

At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said the upcoming visits will focus on strengthening regional cooperation, implementing outcomes from the SCO Tianjin Summit, and deepening economic and cultural ties.

When asked about China’s expectations for the G20 summit, Lin said the meeting carries “historic significance” as it is being held on the African continent for the first time. He added that China “supports South Africa’s G20 presidency” and is ready to work with all parties under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” to build consensus on multilateralism, open trade, and global development.

Beijing’s confirmation ends speculation over whether President Xi Jinping would travel to South Africa for the summit. His absence follows a pattern seen at several recent international meetings, where Premier Li Qiang has represented China on his behalf.

The G20 Summit, scheduled for November 21 to 23 in Johannesburg, will bring together leaders from the world’s major economies to discuss global economic recovery, sustainable development, and reforms to international financial governance.

However, political analysts have pointed out that China’s decision for Xi not to attend should not be interpreted as a boycott. Unlike the United States and Argentina, whose leaders are skipping the meeting for political reasons, Beijing has made clear that it supports South Africa’s G20 presidency and intends to engage fully in the summit’s proceedings through Premier Li.

China’s participation through Premier Li Qiang underscores its continued commitment to multilateral forums and cooperation with Africa, even as the global political landscape around the G20 becomes increasingly fractured.

Earlier this week, IOL reported that Argentina’s President Javier Milei would not be attending the G20 leaders’ summit scheduled for Johannesburg, aligning with a boycott of the key meeting backed by United States President Donald Trump.

According to reports in Argentine media, Milei will instead send Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno to represent the country, along with G20 negotiator Federico Pinedo.

The decision marks a show of solidarity with Trump, who announced that the United States would not participate in the G20 summit in South Africa, citing alleged human-rights abuses against Afrikaner farmers in the country.

Milei’s decision is viewed as a diplomatic setback for South Africa, which is hosting the G20 for the first time — the first time the summit is being held on African soil.

Argentina is one of three Latin American members of the G20, alongside Brazil and Mexico, and has historically taken part in the forum’s highest-level meetings. Analysts in Buenos Aires say the president’s choice underscores his administration’s close alignment with the United States and a shift away from traditional multilateral engagement.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

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