Xi Jinping's Health Rumors Resurface Ahead of U.S. Visit

[Financial News] The fact that Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped a single dinner has once again brought China's power succession issue to the surface. Rather than Xi's health itself, China's power structure—with no clear successor in sight—is being cited as the reason the country reacts sensitively to even minor warning signs.
According to foreign media reports and other sources on the 19th local time, Xi was scheduled to attend a gala dinner at the BRICS summit in New Delhi, India, on the 12th but did not attend at the last minute. Multiple sources said Xi canceled the engagement because he was not feeling well. The change was considered unusual, given that Xi was making his first visit to India in seven years and had already accepted an invitation from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi.
Online speculation quickly spread, including rumors of a serious illness and a stroke. However, no concrete evidence supporting the claims has been found. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry materials, Xi attended the first- and second-stage meetings of the BRICS summit on the 12th and 13th before returning to Beijing on the night of the 13th. Market attention is instead turning to what comes after Xi.
After abolishing the presidential term limit in 2018, Xi established a system of long-term rule, but he has not publicly designated a clear successor. This is why whenever the health of China's top leader becomes an issue, questions about the CPC's power succession and policy continuity come into focus alongside concerns about the individual's health.
The controversy has drawn even more attention because it comes ahead of Xi's scheduled visit to the United States on the 24th. Xi and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to discuss trade, artificial intelligence (AI), and cross-Strait issues. So far, there has been no indication that China has officially announced any change to Xi's visit schedule.

[email protected] Kim Hyun-jung Reporter