Xi Jinping's absence at international stage indicates that China is retreating into a shell

Beijing: – Chinese President Xi Jinping has neither travelled abroad nor met any world leaders for more than 650 days. In the last few months, important leaders have met each other personally through various events and meetings. But, that doesn’t include Xi Jinping. The Singapore Post claims that this is deepening the mystery about Jinping and a clear sign that China is getting back into its shell. British daily ‘Financial Times’ has published a report endorsing the claim.

At the international level, the severity of the Coronavirus pandemic is seen to be declining. Against this background, many essential world leaders have begun participating in foreign tours and international events. Through the NATO Summit, the G20 Summit, and the COP-26 Summit, several leaders have met and discussed each other personally. Political developments somewhat cooled during the Corona period are gaining momentum.

But in all this time, President Jinping has not been seen leading China anywhere internationally. Jinping, who had been touring abroad and meeting world leaders in the first few years after taking over the presidency, seems to be avoiding both. According to an article in The Singapore Post, the Coronavirus and related regulations are being forwarded as a reason for the Chinese regime.

The US president also took cognisance of Jinping’s absence and even passed a remark. President Biden said at the COP-26 Summit, ‘We are all here and they have not come.’ Biden also questioned how you could claim leadership at the international level with this attitude. Analysts also claim that the US takes advantage of Jinping’s absence to strengthen its front against China.

The Singapore Post reported that the absence of the Chinese president indicates that the country’s internal challenges are more critical to Jinping. The article also cites four possible reasons for Jinping’s international absence. The Singapore Post claims that the ongoing crackdown on the private sector, the jolts in the economy and the growing criticism due to this, the tarnished image of China in the international arena and the upcoming Communist Party convention in 2022 may be the reasons.

British daily ‘Financial Times’ reported that China has begun to return to a shell due to internal pressure and growing criticism abroad. Professor Jean-Pierre Cabestan expressed a possibility, ‘The process of reducing relations with the outside world has begun by distancing China from foreign ideologies and concepts. Coronavirus pandemic has been helpful for this purpose. The ultimate goal is to strengthen the monopoly and ensure that the Communist Party’s rule lasts a long time.’ The article also claims that the number of foreign nationals living in China is declining.

Earlier, doubts had also been raised regarding the condition of Jinping because of the reports of his absence.