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Health Rumors Surround Xi Jinping After Early Departure from BRICS Summit
By Drooid · · How we work
Xi Jinping’s Early Return from the 18th BRICS Summit
China’s president, Xi Jinping, attended the 18th BRICS summit in Delhi for the first time in seven years but left the venue on September 13—a day earlier than the other world leaders. Video from India’s national broadcaster showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi pausing his opening remarks to ask whether Xi was okay; Xi nodded and the summit continued. Chinese state media later reported that Xi departed “after successfully concluding” his attendance, noting that his itinerary was limited to a roughly 24-hour stay.
Sources of Health Rumors
Speculation intensified after the chair of the China Democracy Party, Xie Wanjun, claimed on the platform X that Xi fainted at the summit, suffered a severe ischemic stroke, and was flown to Beijing’s 301 Hospital. Xie described Xi walking with difficulty and leaning to the left when boarding his plane. Political analyst Gordon Chang added that Xi’s health could no longer be hidden.
Official Responses
The Chinese foreign ministry reiterated that Xi left Delhi on Sunday afternoon following the completion of his summit duties. No medical details were provided, and Chinese journalists later suggested Modi’s query was about a faulty earpiece used for real-time translation rather than a health emergency.
Potential Impact on Upcoming U.S. Visit
Rumors about Xi’s condition have cast doubt on his scheduled meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on September 24, a deadline for the planned visit. Analysts note that if the health reports prove accurate, Xi may feel unsafe traveling abroad.
Related Health Concerns at the Summit
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, also 73, fell ill after returning from the summit and was withdrawn from public duties on medical advice. Opposition parties in India criticized Modi for serving a vegetarian dinner to the visiting leaders, suggesting the menu might have contributed to Ramaphosa’s illness. These parallel health issues have amplified scrutiny of the summit’s arrangements.