Xi Jinping's Health Sparks Speculation After BRICS Summit; ‘Stroke’ Claims Remain Unverified

Unverified claims about Chinese President Xi Jinping's health have triggered speculation online after Chinese dissident Wanjun Xie alleged that the Chinese leader fainted during the BRICS summit in New Delhi and later suffered a severe ischaemic stroke. Xie's posts claimed that Xi was flown to Beijing and admitted to the People's Liberation Army General Hospital, commonly known as 301 Hospital.

However, no credible reports or official statements from Beijing or New Delhi have confirmed that Xi experienced a medical emergency, suffered a stroke or was hospitalised. A community note attached to Xie's post states that the claims lack evidence and are inconsistent with available facts.

Xi Jinping Attends BRICS Summit, Holds Talks With PM Modi

Xi Jinping visited New Delhi on September 12 to attend the 18th BRICS Summit, marking his first visit to India in seven years. During his visit, he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bilateral discussions covering border stability and trade relations.

Xi attended the summit but did not participate in the dinner hosted by Modi at Bharat Mandapam. Russian President Vladimir Putin and other BRICS leaders attended the event, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi represented China.

Reports indicated that Xi returned to his hotel to rest after a busy day, although no official explanation was provided for his absence from the dinner.

At the summit, Xi called on BRICS nations to contribute to resolving the West Asia conflict, arguing that the war does not serve the international community's common interests. He also announced that China would take over the BRICS chairmanship next year and host the 19th summit.

Social Media Post Claims Xi Suffered Stroke

Speculation about Xi's health intensified after a moment during the summit in which Prime Minister Modi appeared to ask whether the Chinese president was alright. Video footage showed Modi turning towards Xi's translator and asking, "Is it okay?" Xi appeared to respond, but the reason for the exchange remained unclear. It could have been related to the microphone, translation or another issue.

Following the incident, Wanjun Xie claimed on X that Xi had fainted during the summit and received emergency treatment from his medical team. He alleged that the Chinese president was subsequently flown back to Beijing on a special aircraft after declining treatment at an Indian hospital.

Xie further claimed that Xi was taken from the Beijing airport to 301 Hospital by military helicopter, where doctors allegedly diagnosed him with a severe ischaemic stroke. He also asserted that Xi had undergone surgery and was being monitored in an intensive care unit.

These allegations have not been independently verified.

Chinese State Media Reports Xi Returned With Officials

The claims of a special flight and emergency hospitalisation conflict with brief reports published by Chinese state media.

According to a report on gov.cn, Xi returned to Beijing on Sunday evening after attending the BRICS summit in New Delhi. The report said members of his delegation, including Cai Qi and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, travelled on the same flight.

The report did not mention a medical emergency, stroke or hospital admission.

Xie also alleged that Chinese military theatre commands and group armies had been placed on heightened combat readiness following Xi's reported health crisis. No independent evidence has been provided to support these claims.

A community note on Xie's post states that the assertions lack evidence and are inconsistent with the facts.

Who Is Wanjun Xie?

Wanjun Xie is identified as the chairman of the China Democracy Party (CDP), also known as the Democracy Party of China, a political organisation banned in China.

The party was established in 1998 by democracy activists, including individuals associated with the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Its founders attempted to register the organisation with Chinese authorities in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, during former US President Bill Clinton's visit to China.

Chinese authorities banned the organisation shortly after its formation, and several of its leaders were arrested and imprisoned. The group subsequently operated largely from outside China, with branches and committees established in countries including the United States and the United Kingdom.

The CDP advocates multiparty constitutional democracy, direct elections, separation of powers, freedom of speech and association, and the rule of law.

Verification note: The claims regarding Xi Jinping's alleged stroke, hospitalisation and military readiness remain unsubstantiated in the supplied copy. They should not be presented as established facts without independent confirmation.