A summit of leaders from the BRICS group of major emerging economies kicks off in Brazil Sunday – but without the top leader of its most powerful member.

For the first time since taking power, Chinese President Xi Jinping is skipping the BRICS Summit, sending Premier Li Qiang to Rio de Janeiro in his place. Xi’s absence raises questions amid global trade turmoil and U.

Leaders of the BRICS group of major emerging economies are meeting in the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro on Sunday for a two-day summit. The BRICS acronym is derived from the initial letters of the founding member countries: Brazil,