Why Xi Jinping missed the opening of the World Nomad Games

Xi Jinping did not attend the opening ceremony of the Sixth World Nomad Games in Bishkek after a disaster in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region left people dead and others missing.

Kyrgyz presidential spokesman Askat Alagozov said Xi had planned to attend the ceremony and other international events during his state visit. The Chinese leader instead asked President Sadyr Japarov to understand his absence because of the disaster.

Alagozov called the decision justified, saying Xi had chosen to focus on managing the aftermath, organizing search-and-rescue operations and personally overseeing the response. Kyrgyzstan expressed condolences to the Chinese people and to the families of those killed.

The Kyrgyz side also wished rescuers success and the missing people a swift discovery. Despite Xi’s absence from the ceremony, bilateral meetings and negotiations connected to his state visit will continue according to the approved schedule.

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We consider it entirely justified and warranted, in this difficult situation, for the Chinese president to prioritize dealing with the disaster’s aftermath in his country, organizing search-and-rescue operations and personally overseeing this process.