Mystery Surrounds Xi Jinping's Absence at BRICS Summit

Chinese President Xi Jinping unexpectedly skipped a scheduled speech at the Brics summit in South Africa, raising speculation about his absence. His speech was read out by his commerce minister, Wang Wentao, who made thinly veiled attacks on the US. This marks the second unexplained absence of a Chinese official, following former foreign minister Qin Gang. The Brics countries, representing 40% of the world's population and a quarter of global GDP, aim to strengthen their alliance as a counterweight to western blocs.