China Confirms President Xi Jinping Won’t Attend G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africans Debate

• Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be present at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa
• The presidents of four other countries will also not attend the global event from 22 to 23 November 2025
• South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the latest high-profile absentee from the upcoming summit

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the G20 Summit in South Africa, sparking mixed reactions online.

South Africa will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg from 22 to 23 November 2025, but the global event will be without some world leaders. The country is the first African nation to host the G20 and will hand over the presidency to the United States of America at the end of the year.

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Chinese Premier to lead delegation

While Xi will not be travelling to South Africa for the summit, China will still have representation. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Thursday, 13 November 2025, that Premier Li Qiang will lead the delegation.

The premier has often represented the country at global events when Xi has not been available, so the decision is not a new one.

Other leaders who won’t be attending

The Chinese president won’t be the only Head of State who will not be in South Africa. Argentine President Javier Milei and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum have announced they will not attend, while Russian President Vladimir Putin faces travel restrictions due to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

United States of America President Donald Trump will also not be at the summit. Unlike China, which will still be represented by the premier, Trump confirmed that no member of his administration would attend.

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Trump maintained that terrible things were happening in the country, claiming that Afrikaners were being targeted by racist laws and violence. However, the claim lacks clear evidence. He added that he would not be attending the global event due to the problems in the country.

South Africans react to Xi’s decision

Social media users shared a variety of opinions regarding the Chinese President's absence, with some claiming it was predictable and others expressing disappointment.

Sinovuyo Hobho said:

“Nothing surprising here. Last year, about five Heads of State didn't attend the G20 Summit in Brazil.”

Gerrard Samuel stated:

“They are obviously watching the ‘Commission’.”

Fanus Nortje added:

“It will be the G5 before they start.”

Tukuma Thandile exclaimed:

“And the G20 summit shall continue with or without them.”

Errol Kean humorously claimed:

“We are going to have a G7 by next week.”

Aubrey Ramotlhale noted:

“It also happened to Brazil, so we are not surprised.”

Sibusiso Shane Mavimbela said:

“It's okay, we understand. I've pulled out of many events in my life, and they went on as planned. The G20 summit will go ahead as planned.”

Raps Kellz added:

“It should be called G1, since South Africa is the only one taking this thing seriously and hosting it. I mean, it's hard to take this government seriously.”

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Government condemns vandalism ahead of G20

Briefly News reported that the Gauteng government was unhappy with the destruction and vandalism ahead of the G20 Summit.

Signage for the event was defaced, with the vandals spraypainting curse words and other phrases over the newly erected signs.

South Africans weighed in on the issues surrounding the vandalism, with some noting that many citizens were frustrated.

Source: Briefly News