China Questions US's Bid To Chair G20 Again

China has expressed objections to the United States hosting the Group of 20 (G20) nations in 2026, as previously announced by President Joe Biden's administration, according to four individuals familiar with the matter, according to Bloomberg report.

The G20 member states take turns presiding over the group, including hosting the annual summit of world leaders. The United States has stated its intention to assume the presidency after India, Brazil, and South Africa complete their respective yearlong terms.

China's objection, with support from Russia according to one of the sources, is largely symbolic, and it's unlikely that the decision will be reversed. These discussions are private, and the individuals requested anonymity.

The news of China's objection was first reported by the Financial Times.

Reportedly, China requested that its dissatisfaction be noted, but the specific reasons for its objections are not known. It's worth noting that by the end of 2025, all G20 members will have had the opportunity to host at least one summit, signaling a new rotation. The United States previously hosted the inaugural G20 summit in Washington in 2008.

China's attempts to challenge this convention may be seen as part of its broader standoff with the United States on various issues, ranging from Taiwan to technology export controls. Notably, neither Chinese leader Xi Jinping nor Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The G20 is divided into regional sub-groups, with member nations determining who will host the summit. The United States is in a subgroup with Canada, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.

As of now, the White House has not responded to requests for comment.

Speaking in New Delhi, US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer emphasized that India, Brazil, and South Africa, referred to as "the three democratic members of the BRICS," are the current and next two chairs of the G20. He added, "They are committed to the G20's success, as is the United States. We will host after those three. If China is not, that's unfortunate for everyone, but we believe it's much more unfortunate for China."