Chinese Leader’s Behavior at ‘Two Sessions’ Gathering Points to Serious Health Issues: Analyst

Officials listen to speeches during the Shaanxi delegation meeting during the annual 'Two Sessions' at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 6, 2024. Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s atypical behavior during the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “Two Sessions” this week has led to speculation about possible health concerns. The shortened conference, along with Xi’s rare absence from an important event before the meetings convened, have garnered attention from China observers and analysts.

The CCP’s “Two Sessions” refers to the annual plenary sessions of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and the National People’s Congress (NPC), the two houses of China’s rubber-stamp legislature. The meetings kicked off in Beijing on March 4 and 5, respectively.

2 Teacups

In this year’s meetings, observers noted that two teacups were again placed on the table before Xi, while other attendees had only one teacup. This phenomenon, which was observed in the “Two Sessions” of 2019, 2021, and 2023, has consistently garnered media and public attention. Some observers interpret this as Xi’s attempt to assert his authority by highlighting the disparity in the number of teacups.

Unlike the customary practice of attendants pouring water for all CCP officials, Xi had his own server this year. Given the CCP’s opaque nature, China political analysts closely observe such moves.

Chinese-American columnist and author Chen Pokong has a different view on the two teacups. He suggests that one cup contains tea while the other holds medication.

“There’s something to it,” he told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times on March 6. “Xi Jinping can demonstrate his authority or superior status through other means. There’s no need to do it through these two cups. I think it’s due to certain uncontrollable factors since anything can happen at the venue.

“He prepared two cups, one for drinking tea like everyone else and the other for medication. The attendant serving him is also specially trained. Therefore, I think the main reason for Xi Jinping’s odd manners is likely due to his physical condition,” Mr. Chen said.

Shortened ‘Two Sessions’

This year’s “Two Sessions” has been shortened to half its usual duration.

On March 3, CCP spokesperson Liu Jieyi announced at a press conference that the CPPCC session would open on March 4 and close on the morning of March 10. The session for the NPC would open on the morning of March 5 and close on the afternoon of March 11.

The duration of the event has been relatively fixed since 1995, usually lasting for 10–12 days, except for meetings involving leadership changes, which generally last for two weeks.

Mr. Chen believes this year’s shortened meetings suggest Xi could be ill.

“During COVID-19, the meetings were cut down due to so-called pandemic needs. Now that the pandemic is over, things should be back to normal,” he pointed out.

“However, the shortened duration of this year’s sessions is quite significant, reduced by half, which may be tailored to Xi Jinping’s health, as he can only endure for so long. Therefore, given the oddities, you can suspect he has health issues,” he added.

Mr. Chen remarked that the unprecedented cancellation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s press conference, which would have occurred at the conclusion of the “Two Sessions,” has garnered attention and been subjected to multiple interpretations. The expert said that in addition to possibly marginalizing Mr. Li’s premiership, it is likely related to Xi’s physical health.

“Xi Jinping doesn’t allow others to overshadow his prestige when he has health problems, although such a situation is unlikely,” Mr. Chen said. ”However, considering his narrow-mindedness, he will likely make such unusual decisions, namely canceling the Chinese premier’s routine press conference.”

Rare Absence

Mr. Chen further explained that before the “Two Sessions,” Xi rarely missed a meeting, especially the opening ceremony of the 2024 spring semester of the CCP Central Party School’s training session for young cadres, which was held on March 1.

Xi attended the opening ceremony every year from 2018 to 2023 and delivered speeches.

According to state media Xinhua News Agency, Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo, the CCP’s top decision-making body, attended this year’s opening ceremony and delivered a speech on behalf of Xi.

Mr. Chen said that Xi has consolidated power and aims to centralize all authority. The participants in the training session are high-ranking officials at the provincial and ministerial levels of the CCP. Xi personally selects these cadres to show the regime’s high regard for them, so it is uncommon for him not to deliver a speech in person, the expert said.

He believes Xi’s absence was not due to a sudden illness but to conserve his energy, considering that the “Two Sessions” would be held for several days.

“These events and indicators show that Xi Jinping is experiencing health problems,” said Mr. Chen. “He is very worried and anxious about his power, which is undoubtedly a heavy burden in his age.”

Ning Xin contributed to this report.