Trump Boycott, China Utus PM Li Qiang Attends The G20 Summit In South Africa

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Lin Jian in a press conference in Beijing, Thursday (11/13/2025) (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - President Xi Jinping will not attend the G20 Summit in South Africa, instead Prime Minister Li Qiang will come as China's official representative.

"At the invitation of the government of the South African Republic, Prime Minister Li Qiang will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on November 21-23, 2025," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a press conference in Beijing, reported by ANTARA, Thursday, November 13.

The G20 Summit will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa (Afsel) on November 22, 2025 with the theme "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability".

Previously, United States President Donald Trump confirmed he would not attend the G20 summit and would not send his deputy as long as South Africa continues to commit "human rights violations."

"In the midst of rapid world change and unprecedented for a century, slow global economic growth and a widening development deficit, the G20, as the main forum for international economic cooperation, needs to increase solidarity and cooperation and together respond to world challenges," said Lin Jian.

PM Li Qiang's presence, said Lin Jian, is also a form of Chinese support to improve global economic governance and contribute to world economic growth as well as the development and prosperity of countries.

"The G20 summit, which was held on the African continent for the first time, has a historic meaning. China supports South Africa's leadership in the G20 and is ready to cooperate with various parties," added Lin Jian.

The theme of the G20 is "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability", according to Lin Jian, also in order to build consensus between members of the G20 to enforce multilateralism, build an open world economy, and encourage development cooperation.

US President Donald Trump previously accused South Africa of treating white farmers unfairly by saying Africans (derivative Dutch settlers, as well as French and German immigrants) were being killed and slaughtered, while their land and agricultural land were illegally seized.

South Africa will be the first African country to hold the G20 presidency while in 2026, Trump is scheduled to chair the G20 summit next year at his golf resort in Miami, Florida.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto is planned to attend the G20 Summit as a support for cooperation in the South-South region.

The G20 summit chaired by South Africa includes discussing funding mobilization for a fair energy transition, digital development and strengthening the G20 partnership with the African region.

The G20 members consist of South Africa, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, India, Indonesia, England, Italy, Japan, Germany, Canada, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, France, China, Turkey and the European Union.