Speculation about Xi Jinping's health is growing after the Chinese president returned to China earlier than expected from the BRICS summit in New Delhi and has not appeared in public since. Attention is now focused on the upcoming US-China summit scheduled for next week.
According to reports from the UK’s Independent and Newsweek on the 17th, Xi returned to China on the 13th after attending the 18th BRICS summit on the 12th and 13th, leaving before the other leaders and skipping the gala dinner. Since his return, he has not made any public appearances.
This was Xi's first visit to India in seven years, and while the schedule was originally set for the 12th and 13th, he spent only about 24 hours in the country, leading to speculation on social media about the reasons for his early departure.
Health rumors were ignited by a video released during the summit, in which Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paused his speech to ask Xi, "Are you okay?" Footage also showed aides approaching Xi. However, Chinese reporters later released a longer video clarifying that Modi's inquiry was related to an issue with the earphones used for real-time translation, not Xi's health.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that Xi successfully completed his schedule at the summit and left New Delhi on the afternoon of the 13th, without issuing any statements regarding his health.
Claims from Anti-China Figures
The spread of health rumors intensified following unverified claims from anti-regime figures abroad. Xie Wanjun, chairman of the Chinese Democratic Party residing in the US, alleged on social media that Xi collapsed during the summit and was urgently transported back to China, where he was immediately taken to Beijing's 301 Hospital. This post garnered 2.3 million views and led to speculation that Xi had suffered a stroke. Gordon Chang, a well-known anti-China figure in the US, also stated, "Xi Jinping's health is not good, and this time China cannot hide his condition."
However, these claims emerged only after the South African presidency announced that Cyril Ramaphosa, who attended the BRICS summit, was feeling unwell upon his return. There has been no official confirmation regarding Xi's health. The Indian government has also denied any claims that world leaders fell ill during the BRICS summit, urging caution against malicious posts circulating on social media.
The UK’s Daily Mail reported that the 73-year-old Xi was seen walking up the stairs to board a flight to China without assistance. The report noted that this is not the first time Xi has faced health rumors, which typically prove unfounded in a short time, yet speculation about his health continues to circulate online.
Despite the health rumors, attention remains on the scheduled meeting between President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in the US on the 24th. So far, the Chinese government has not announced any changes to this schedule. However, if there are sudden changes or cancellations, it is expected that health rumors will intensify.
Victor Shih, a political expert at the University of California, San Diego, stated in an interview with the Telegraph that it is unusual for Xi to not appear publicly with important events approaching. However, he added that if no further information regarding Xi's schedule is released by next week, "I will have to question (Xi's health)."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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