Fresh Questions Emerge Over Xi Jinping's Health Following US Summit and BRICS Visit

President Donald Trump with China's President Xi Jinping

Fresh questions have emerged over Chinese President Xi Jinping's health after unusual arrangements made for him to rest during his recent summit with US President Donald Trump, reported by Wall Street Journal. People familiar with the planning told WSJ, Chinese officials asked the White House for a private room where Xi could rest between engagements and sought more downtime during his Washington visit.

Hold room The most unusual detail was the request for a private “hold room” inside the White House's West Wing. According to the WSJ, Xi's wife Peng Liyuan was reportedly the only other person allowed inside the room, while even Cai Qi, a senior member of Xi's delegation and his chief of staff, was not permitted to use it. The arrangement was described by a former US National Security Council official as unusual compared with previous visits by foreign leaders. Chinese officials also turned down a planned working lunch between Xi and Trump on September 24, the only full day of his Washington visit, saying they wanted more time for Xi to rest. The decision created a roughly five-hour gap in the summit schedule.

Holding hands At Joint Base Andrews, footage reviewed by the WSJ showed Xi holding Peng's hand while using the aircraft's railing as he descended the stairs. Two days later, while climbing the National Archives steps alongside Trump and Melania Trump, Xi again held Peng's hand, with the WSJ reporting that he appeared to rely on her for support. The unusual scheduling was also visible elsewhere in Xi's itinerary. No official engagements were planned for him on the evening of his arrival following a roughly 14-hour flight from Beijing, while his visit to the US National Archives the following day lasted only about 10 minutes, far shorter than initially planned, according to the WSJ.

BRICS summit The latest report has also brought renewed attention to Xi's health during his recent visit to India for the BRICS summit. During the opening session in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly appeared to check on Xi, asking his interpreter, “Is it okay?” after the Chinese president appeared uncomfortable. Xi later skipped a gala dinner hosted by Modi for BRICS leaders and other dignitaries after attending the first day of the summit and holding a bilateral meeting with Modi. Taken together, the episodes have renewed questions over Xi's health, though no specific illness has been established. With Xi holding China's top political and military posts, any health concerns could have wider implications for Beijing.