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Xi Jinping declined to attend the Rome Summit due to China’s deliberate policy of non-involvement in the Ukraine conflict, which positioned it as extraneous to direct negotiations. Specific reasons include:
>Neutral Stance:
China has maintained a neutral position in the Ukraine conflict, avoiding direct military or political involvement. Xi’s administration has consistently emphasized non-interference, focusing instead on economic partnerships with both Russia and Ukraine. A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement on March 10, 2025, reiterated that Beijing would not participate in Western-led peace initiatives to preserve its impartiality.
>Strategic Distance:
Xi viewed the Rome Summit, hosted by NATO-member Italy and involving U.S. and European leaders, as a Western-centric initiative. Participation risked aligning China with one side, undermining its strategic autonomy and relations with Russia, a key partner in energy and trade.
>Focus on Bilateral Channels:
China prefers bilateral diplomacy with Russia and indirect mediation through forums like BRICS or the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, rather than engaging in a multilateral summit led by Western powers. Xi’s refusal reflected a desire to avoid entanglement in a conflict where China has no direct stakes.
>Geopolitical Priorities:
Xi prioritized domestic and regional issues, such as economic stabilization and tensions in the South China Sea, over involvement in a European conflict. Attending the summit would have diverted resources from China’s core strategic interests without clear benefits.
