Instead, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao read out Xi's speech criticizing the United States for its "hegemonic" tendencies.
In a speech delivered at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Mr Xi said the US tended to push back against countries that threatened its dominance in global affairs and financial markets.
The speech argued that every country has the right to develop and every person has the freedom to pursue a happy life. "Whoever develops first will become their target of containment. Whoever catches up will become their target of obstruction," Xi said.
Commerce Minister Wang Wentao read Xi's speech. Photo: Twitter
According to the South China Morning Post, in his speech, Mr. Xi said that the common rise of emerging markets and developing countries in BRICS has "fundamentally changed the global landscape." Mr. Xi said that China supports the expansion of BRICS and hopes for a stronger BRICS strategic partnership, expanding the BRICS+ model and actively promoting membership expansion... while helping the international order become more fair and equal.
Although he arrived in South Africa on the evening of August 21, Mr. Tap did not attend the business forum without giving any explanation.
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov represented President Vladimir Putin at the event. Mr. Putin participated online.
According to an online speech, President Putin said the BRICS countries are meeting the aspirations of the majority of the world's population. BRICS members - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - account for more than 40% of the world's population and the summit discussed adding new members.
Mr Putin participated virtually because an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court was issued in March. Photo: EPA-EFE
According to Reuters news agency, Mr. Putin said the summit will discuss in detail the issue of switching trade between member countries from the US dollar to other currencies, a process in which the BRICS New Development Bank will play a big role.
BRICS is an increasingly important forum for Russia at a time when its economy is struggling under Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine, and it is also seeking to build new diplomatic and trade ties with Asia, Africa and Latin America.
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