Xi Jinping Skips Dinner, Not because He’s Pretending to be a Couch Potato
Picture this: nine world leaders, a fancy restaurant, and the big news smorgasbord of a summit. Only one top ruler decided to ditch the culinary gossip circle—Xi Jinping. Why? He was calmly following his COVID‑19 etiquette and staying home like a responsible adult.
What’s the Scoop?
At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation’s gathering in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Xi’s entourage was present, but the chairman himself opted out of the post‑meeting makan. This meant the grand selfie with Vladimir Putin, Tayyip Erdogan, and the rest of the gang was also missing the biggest boss.
According to a source in the Uzbek government, the de facto reason was simply his delegation’s COVID spell—no, we’re not saying he was aiming for a bongo rhythm. “Vaccine mandates feel like personal touch‑downs,” the source joked.
Why is This a Big Deal?
- First foreign trip post‑pandemic: Xi, 69, is traveling abroad after a long lockdown; he’s a modern diplomat on a world tour.
- Historical third term looming: The next Communist Party Congress will decide if Xi keeps chairing the party for another decade.
In Beijing, They’re a Bit Quiet
The Chinese foreign ministry couldn’t catch a comment on the matter, just as we can’t catch a pun on the whole scene—so we’ll just leave it at that.
Bottom Line: The Dinner Was Weaned, Not Banished!
In sum, Xi didn’t show up for the dinner because he remembered his COVID safety guide and said, “I’ve already booked a seat at the collective patio.” As it turns out, even global presidents can be picky about their plate time!
