Unpopular for life.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending the G20 summit in New Delhi on 9-10 September. "Xi's absence also could be a shot at host India, according to some analysts, who see it as a signal China is reluctant to confer influence on its southern neighbor that boasts one of the fastest growing major economies as China slows." Reuters. Maybe that is why China released a map calculated to infuriate India. "India says it lodged a 'strong protest' with China over a new map that lays claim to its territory. Indian media have reported that the map shows the north-eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin plateau as China's territory. It was released by China's ministry of natural resources." BBC. On the other hand, Indians are absolutely delighted because, "According to reports from Nikkei Asia, the root cause of this unexpected move (skipping G20) can be traced back to the recent Beidaihe meeting in China, an annual gathering of incumbent and retired leaders of the Chinese Communist Party." ET. "Sources reveal that a group of retired party elders took the unprecedented step of 'reprimanding' Xi and questioning him in ways previously unseen." This is unsubstantiated rumor and it is hard to believe that a man as arrogant as Xi would sit through a lecture from a powerless old man. "China has approved the removal of the two-term limit on the presidency, effectively allowing Xi Jinping to remain in power for life." BBC. The village of Liangjiahe, where Xi spent his teenage years, has been turned into a shrine. "Just as Shaoshan did for Mao, Liangjiahe has come to figure prominently in Mr Xi's official biography. NYT. "According to the current narrative, Mr Xi showed his first signs of greatness in the then-penniless village, rising to the position of local party leadership." Just as a tea stall at Vadnagar railway station in Gujarat, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi sold tea during his childhood, has been converted into a tourist shrine. India Today. And, our Dear Leader certainly will not tolerate any criticism. The Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, the local police and other enforcers will soon come knocking on the door. Several Americans, who study events in China, have expressed scepticism about the report. Semafor. Xi's biggest problem is the economy. "The country's astonishing growth in the past 30 years was propelled by building: everything from roads, bridges and train lines to factories, airports and houses." BBC. "The bottom line is that there is only so much China can build before it starts becoming a waste of money." "Some experts predict a slow drift towards a stagnation scenario, similar to Japan's experience, while others warn of a more severe economic downturn." ET. Xi's pet project, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is proving to be a money-losing failure and has generated hostility instead of gratitude. Forbes. The only G7 nation in BRI, Italy wants to withdraw from the deal. ET. "Canada's federal government has named an appellate court judge to lead an inquiry into foreign (read China) interference in the country's elections." BBC. Whether Xi sat through a lecture from party elders at home, or not, he certainly would not want to listen to complaints from every other G20 nation. And, he is president for life. Not a pleasant future to look forward to.