At a regular news briefing on Wednesday, Wang Wenbin, another spokesperson for the ministry, sidestepped a question about Xi's absence at the BRICS business forum.

Source: https://www.9news.com.au/world/china-news-mystery-as-xi-jinping-skips-speech-brics-summit/878c1bbe-c4a3-4754-885d-9c1d12c2bfc1

But by making Putin a wanted man in 123 countries virtually on the eve of Xi's trip, the court has shone an awkward spotlight on a meeting that was already delicate for the Chinese leader.

Source: https://www.aol.com/news/putin-welcome-chinas-xi-moscow-015557170.html

Cai Qi, who is Xi's chief of staff, met with 57 technology experts on vacation at Beidaihe and urged them to do more to make China technologically self-reliant, state news agency Xinhua reported.

Source: https://www.aol.com/news/china-hints-leaders-started-annual-115411086.html

Chinese state media and diplomats have not provided any explanation for Xi's no-show.

Source: https://www.9news.com.au/world/china-news-mystery-as-xi-jinping-skips-speech-brics-summit/878c1bbe-c4a3-4754-885d-9c1d12c2bfc1

It was not immediately clear from Xi's remarks what progress he was referring to, although he told Blinken China "hopes to see a sound and steady China-U.

Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/blinken-xi-beijing-1.6880988?cmp=rss

Pompeo went as far as to say Xi's "vicious objective" is to achieve total dominance across the world.

Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/21281636/america-china-war-red-dawn-taiwan-balloon/

The PLA recruitment is also focused on college students and graduates, especially those with science and engineering backgrounds, to fulfil Xi's goal of building a world-class military by 2050.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/china-revises-wartime-military-recruitment-rules-amid-tensions-over-taiwan-3945127

Xi's Decision To 'Stay In Office For Life' Has Created Challenges: Hillary Clintonzerohedge.

Source: https://biztoc.com/x/3ec97b6dc9b496e5?ref=ff

Xi's vision for a "digital China" aims to see the country populated by smart, internet-connected cities and data treated alongside labour and capital as a key factor to drive the economy and help China compete more effectively globally.

Source: https://gazette.com/news/us-world/factbox-china-moves-towards-digital-economy-dream-with-national-data-bureau/article_59a92bdd-8e97-598f-8ff2-e3b6ffaf1ff0.html

Xi's visit marks 15 years of China being a ''comprehensive strategic partner'' of Vietnam.

Source: https://www.startribune.com/chinas-xi-visits-vietnam-weeks-after-it-strengthened-ties-with-the-us-and-japan/600326083/

Xi's visit to Moscow is a diplomatic coup for Russian President Vladimir Putin, whose country has been placed under unprecedented international sanctions since he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022.

Source: https://www.rawstory.com/icc-judges-seek-putin-s-arrest-citing-war-crimes-in-ukraine/