Chinese diplomats have informed officials from the Group of 20 nations that President Xi Jinping does not currently plan to attend a summit in Italy this month in person, according to four people familiar with the matter.
The message was conveyed at a meeting of G20 envoys known as sherpas in Florence last month. Chinese envoys cited China’s COVID-19 protocols, which can include quarantine mandates for returning travelers, as a reason Xi did not intend to go to Rome, three of the people said.
The people said there had been no communications on the matter since, and Italy, which is hosting the G20 this year, has yet to receive an official response either way. Beijing often announces the president’s travel plans at the last minute, and any final decision may not be sent to Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s government until closer to the summit, which starts Oct. 30.