For dictators down the ages, nothing matters more than projecting an image of absolute and unchallenged power. The chance to stride the world stage at a glittering international summit is not to be missed.
Yet, Xi Jinping, the president of China, spurned that opportunity on Sunday when he failed to arrive at a summit of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) in Rio de Janeiro – the first time in his 12 years as paramount leader.
Hans van LeeuwenJournalistHans van Leeuwen is international economy editor for The Telegraph UK. He was previously The Australian Financial Review’s Europe correspondent.
