Xi Jinping health rumors swirl after early BRICS departure

Unverified claims about Chinese President Xi Jinping's health have swept across social media this week after he skipped a gala dinner at the BRICS summit in New Delhi and returned to China earlier than expected, prompting official pushback from both Beijing and New Delhi.

What Happened in New Delhi

Xi attended the 18th BRICS summit on September 12 and 13, holding a bilateral meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi — their first such meeting on Indian soil in seven years. However, Xi did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Modi for BRICS leaders that Saturday evening, and he departed India on the afternoon of September 13, cutting short what had been expected to be a longer stay.mk+2

A video from the summit's opening session fueled speculation after Modi appeared to pause his remarks and ask Xi, "Is it okay?" as aides approached the Chinese leader. But footage from Russian state broadcaster Rossiya 1, shot from an alternative angle, showed Xi adjusting a malfunctioning translation earpiece just before Modi's remark, indicating the exchange was about faulty equipment rather than a health episode.dailymail+1

The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 1.28% reported Friday that Xi did not attend the dinner due to health concerns, citing sources close to the situation, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi attending in his place.wsj

The Rumor Mill and Official Responses

The speculation escalated after Xie Wanjun, chairman of the outlawed China Democracy Party and a U.S.-based dissident, claimed on X that Xi had collapsed during the summit and was rushed to Beijing's 301 Hospital. The post received 2.3 million views. Anti-China commentator Gordon Chang added that "Xi Jinping is not well. This time, China could not hide his condition".mk+1

The claims gained further traction after the South African presidency confirmed on September 16 that President Cyril Ramaphosa had withdrawn from public engagements due to ill health following his return from the summit. However, no connection between the two leaders' situations has been established.rediff+1

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Xi left New Delhi on September 13 "after successfully completing his schedule" and made no announcement regarding health issues. India's Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday cautioned against "malicious" and "misleading" social media posts about the health of world leaders who attended the summit. The Daily Mail noted Xi was seen walking up the stairs to board his aircraft without assistance.dailymail+3

What Comes Next

None of the dramatic claims circulating online have been independently verified. Xi has not appeared in public since returning to Beijing, though experts note this is not necessarily unusual given his schedule. Victor Shih, a China politics expert at UC San Diego, told the Daily Telegraph that he would "be forced to question" Xi's health only "if no further news is received regarding Xi's schedule by next week".mk

Attention is now turning to whether Xi will travel to the United States for a reported meeting with President Donald Trump scheduled for September 24. Beijing has not announced any changes to that schedule.english.rtvlive+1