Health concerns surrounding Chinese President Xi Jinping have resurfaced. Reports indicate that during his recent visit to the United States for a summit with President Donald Trump, the Chinese delegation requested a private rest area at the White House and canceled a lunch to maximize rest time.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on October 2 that the Chinese side asked for a dedicated lounge within the West Wing of the White House ahead of Xi's visit. This space was accessible only to his wife, Peng Liyuan, while White House staff and even Xi's chief of staff were restricted from entering.
It is also reported that the Chinese delegation sought to ensure ample rest time during the summit schedule. About a month before the visit, a preparatory team requested the cancellation of a working lunch with President Trump that was scheduled for September 24. This request resulted in a five-hour gap in Xi's already brief itinerary, according to WSJ.
Xi's external schedule was also reduced from initial plans. On the first evening of his visit, he did not schedule any additional events, and on the last day, September 25, he reportedly spent only about 10 minutes at the National Archives.
Video footage captured Xi's cautious movements. When disembarking from the plane, he held Peng's hand with one hand while grasping the railing with the other. He also held her hand while ascending the stairs at the National Archives. Chinese state media reportedly excluded these scenes from prime-time broadcasts.
According to Yonhap News, WSJ noted that these measures during Xi's visit have raised questions about his health. Dennis Wilder, a former senior director for China at the National Security Council during the George W. Bush administration, stated that it is rare for a foreign leader to request a private rest area.
Wilder explained that he did not receive such requests during visits from former Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, or Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao. He also pointed out that the meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders began around noon on September 24 and concluded in the early afternoon, which is unusual for a summit between the heads of the world's two largest economies.
This is not the first time health concerns about Xi have emerged. WSJ reported that during the BRICS summit held in India last month, Xi did not attend a dinner with other leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, due to health issues.
However, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about Xi's health based solely on these allegations. Experts note that there is no evidence suggesting Xi has shown cognitive decline or other health issues. Nonetheless, they caution that if health problems intersect with China's power succession dynamics, it could have significant political ramifications. With power concentrated in Xi's hands and no successor named, any serious health issues could impact China's future power structure. The unusual measures taken during Xi's U.S. visit have sparked interest regarding the unresolved issue of succession in China.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.