BEIJING — It would have been natural for Chinese leader Xi Jinping to address the U.N. General Assembly in the 80th anniversary year of the founding of the United Nations. But he won't.

Instead, Premier Li Qiang is speaking at this week's annual meeting in the latest example of Xi cutting back on overseas trips and delegating tasks to loyal lieutenants. His leadership style appears to be evolving into a more hands-off though no less powerful one, thrusting Li into a more prominent role.

The decision not to go is somewhat surprising. China regularly cites the important role of the U.N. as an alternative to what it considers U.S. bullying in international affairs. Xi spoke in 2015 in the U.N.'s 70th anniversary year, and by video in 2020 in the 75th because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The d

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