Asian Insider

Chinese President Xi Jinping fills gap on international stage as Trump stays away

TV screens showing Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking during the virtual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19. Experts say Beijing might be taking a more active role on issues such as Covid-19 and trade in Washington'
TV screens showing Chinese President Xi Jinping speaking during the virtual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 19. Experts say Beijing might be taking a more active role on issues such as Covid-19 and trade in Washington's absence. PHOTO: REUTERS
Danson Cheong
China Correspondent
Updated
Dec 04, 2020, 04:09 PM
Published
Nov 30, 2020, 10:35 PM
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BEIJING - Preoccupied with challenging the election results at home, US President Donald Trump had been notably absent at several key virtual meetings of international leaders in November, leaving a space that Chinese leaders were glad to fill.

Mr Trump skipped the Asean and East Asia summits, during which the 15-nation Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) trade deal - which includes Asean and China - was signed.

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