Health Rumors Surrounding President Xi Jinping, Chinese State Media Remain Strong

Call with President Putin on the 28th, Speech at the Central Rural Work Conference on the 28th-29th
President Xi Jinping's New Year's Address at 7 PM on the 31st

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Amid rumors on some social networking services (SNS) about Chinese President Xi Jinping's health issues, China's state-run media China Central Television (CCTV) reported footage of President Xi attending official events.

On anti-China SNS platforms, posts have recently surfaced claiming that President Xi underwent surgery for cerebrovascular disease. Subsequently, rumors about President Xi's health spread rapidly through SNS.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

A media outlet called 'Lude Media' stated on the 27th (Eastern Time, US) that "an Argentine on Twitter claimed that 'President Xi will undergo surgery for cerebrovascular disease,'" adding, "The source of this information is a Hong Kong doctor who examined President Xi and is close to the Argentine who wrote the post."

Videos covering similar content have been uploaded on SNS, and some posts even speculate about future power struggles within the Chinese Communist Party.

However, Chinese state media have reported official schedules, including footage of President Xi, as usual without any changes.

The People's Daily reported that on the afternoon of the 28th (local time), President Xi had a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

President Xi also attended the Central Rural Work Conference held in Beijing from the 28th to 29th, delivering a speech on increasing farmers' income and food security. The event was attended by Premier Li Keqiang and all seven members of the Communist Party Central Politburo Standing Committee, China's top leadership.

CCTV also broadcast footage of the Central Rural Work Conference. President Xi delivered his speech appearing as usual.

Chinese state media further announced that President Xi will deliver a New Year's address through CCTV and other channels at 7 p.m. (local time) on the 31st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.