Xi arrives in Washington for Trump talks, health rumors persist

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Washington on Wednesday for a summit with Donald Trump, appearing to grip his wife's hand firmly while descending from his plane, doing little to dispel ongoing health rumours. The 73-year-old leader's slow, careful descent at Joint Base Andrews drew close scrutiny from observers. Speculation about Xi's health intensified after he skipped a gala dinner during the Brics summit in India in September and returned to Beijing early. Rumours first emerged in late August when Xi walked gingerly down plane steps in Kyrgyzstan, with Chinese state media editing out his descent from broadcast videos. Opposition figure Xie Wanjun alleged Xi suffered a stroke and was flown to Beijing's 301 Hospital for emergency treatment, claims China has not acknowledged. Xi has ruled for over 13 years with no named successor, and a September 2025 hot mic caught him discussing living forever with Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong Un.