Indonesia’s Jokowi to Meet Xi on Rare China Trip Before G20

Russia is a member of the G20, and its invasion of Ukraine complicates the annual meeting, potentially putting Putin in the same room with US President Joe Biden and European leaders who have condemned the invasion.

Xi, who traveled widely before the pandemic, has not left China since returning from a visit to Myanmar on Jan. 18, 2020. Five days later, the city of Wuhan was locked down as China took on the then-mysterious virus that caused the disease later named Covid-19.

The Chinese leader made his first trip outside mainland China about three weeks ago, visiting the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the return of the former British colony to China.

World leaders also hold one-on-one meetings during the G20, so it could provide an opportunity for Xi’s first in-person meeting with Biden since the latter became U.S. president in January 2021.

“It is a rare opportunity to conduct face-to-face exchanges on a multilateral stage, which China needs very much,” said Su Hao, an international relations professor at China Foreign Affairs University.

Such meetings make it easier to reach consensus on complex global issues such as the current economic challenges, Su said. He added that the G20 is an opportunity for Xi to advance proposals he has made on global development and security.

Widodo will be the second foreign leader after Biden to visit South Korea since Yoon’s inauguration in May. They are expected to discuss boosting economic, security, infrastructure and defense industry cooperation.

Source: Associated Press