Chinese President Xi Jinping's absence from public view, appearing only twice in videos in over a month, amid a military purge and economic challenges, has fuelled speculation of a power shift in the Chinese Communist Party.

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.

After over a decade of unchallenged authority, Xi Jinping is showing signs of stepping back. From skipping key summits like Brics in Brazil to quietly redistributing the Chinese Communist Party control,