Rumours about 
Xi Jinping's health spread on social media after the Chinese leader skipped a leaders' dinner at the BRICS summit in New Delhi and left India early. The trip was his first to India in seven years, and he left on September 13 ahead of the other leaders and had not appeared in public since returning, which made the rumours spread further, CNA reported, citing Britain's Independent. People familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal that Xi withdrew from the dinner because he felt unwell.
What did the summit footage show? Footage that spread widely showed India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi twice breaking off his opening speech to ask Xi "Is it okay?" In the clip, which CNA reported came from India's national broadcaster, aides hurried over to Xi, seated on Modi's left, and Modi carried on only after Xi nodded. On September 16, Chinese journalists posted a longer video on X saying Modi had been showing concern because Xi's simultaneous interpretation earpiece was faulty.
What did the rumours allege? Xie Wanjun, the US-based chairman of the China Democracy Party, which is not permitted to register in China, posted on X on September 14 that the 73-year-old Xi had fainted during the summit and been sent home for emergency treatment. Xie alleged that Xi, suffering severe ischaemia, refused treatment in Delhi and was taken to the People's Liberation Army's 301 Hospital in Beijing.
How have officials responded? China's foreign ministry said Xi left Delhi on the afternoon of September 13 after successfully concluding his programme. India's foreign ministry dismissed claims that he had fainted as fake news, while sources cited by Press Trust of India said he had gone back to his hotel room to rest. Video showed him climbing the aircraft steps unaided, CNA reported.
What else did the Journal report? Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the people familiar with the matter said, attended the dinner in Xi's place and mingled with leaders including Vladimir Putin. The report said there was no evidence he had been seriously ill or had fainted, though those people said he did feel unwell. Dennis Wilder, a former senior CIA China analyst, said Xi is a longtime smoker and drinker who is overweight and dislikes exercise, and that former foreign minister Qin Gang once told him Xi loved to drink. Experts cautioned against over-reading signs such as his stiff gait, and the report said that at 73 he faces the health risks common to men his age.
Figures referenced: Xi Jinping. — JudgeMarket.
