Image: During the March 2024 Two Sessions, Xi Jinping was photographed by foreign media in the Great Hall of the People with an expression of extreme pain while drinking tea. (Illustration by Qing Yu/People News)
[People News] Following the conclusion of the Xi-Trump meeting, an exclusive article published on October 2, 2026, by The Wall Street Journal has once again highlighted the health condition of Xi Jinping, the highest leader of the Communist Party of China, bringing it into the spotlight of Sino-American political discussions and international public opinion.
The report references several informed sources familiar with the itinerary preparations, revealing that during the Washington summit between Xi Jinping and U.S. President Trump in late September, the Chinese delegation made a series of unusual requests, primarily encompassing the following four points:
A private "waiting room" was specifically designated in the West Wing of the White House, where only First Lady Peng Liyuan was allowed to enter during breaks in the activities, excluding even key aides like Cai Qi, the director of the Central Office; additionally, the Chinese side declined the originally planned working lunch on September 24 about a month in advance, citing a need to provide Xi Jinping with more rest time. Ultimately, the discussions commenced around noon and concluded in the early afternoon, and after leaving the White House, Xi Jinping did not return until the evening state banquet, resulting in approximately five hours of downtime during the only full day of the summit; there were no public engagements on the night of his arrival, and the visit to the National Archives on September 25 lasted only about ten minutes, significantly shorter than the original schedule proposed by the U.S. side; the Chinese delegation even had to calculate how long Xi Jinping could stand, walk, and when he would need to take breaks during the planning.
These rare details shed light on the true physical condition of Xi Jinping, the leader of the Chinese Communist Party. At 73 years old this year, he is often described in Chinese culture as being at the age of '73, 84, where the King of Hell does not invite himself to go.' During the meeting between Xi and Trump, Xi Jinping clearly exhibited limitations in his physical strength. The Wall Street Journal noted that Peng Liyuan, while accompanying Xi Jinping as he boarded and disembarked from the plane, was seen bending her arm to firmly grip Xi's arm, subtly providing support for his body. When the Trump couple and the Xi couple walked side by side down the stairs, Peng Liyuan again held onto Xi's arm, while the Trump couple walked independently. This stark contrast highlights that Xi Jinping's physical condition is not on the same health level as that of Trump, who is seven years older.
Dennis Wilder, the former Senior Director for Asian Affairs at the U.S. National Security Council, candidly remarked that the exclusive lounge arrangement requested by the Chinese Communist Party for Xi Jinping was 'unprecedented' during his previous visits to the U.S. with foreign leaders, calling it 'very unusual.' The report also carefully noted that the 14-hour trans-Pacific flight and time zone differences might account for some adjustments, and there were no public signs of cognitive decline. However, when considering Xi's absence from the dinner at the recent BRICS summit in India and footage of him slowly descending airplane stairs at various public events, foreign media and overseas observers can no longer simply attribute Xi Jinping's physical condition to 'occasional fatigue.'
The growing external concern regarding Xi Jinping's health stems from his decision in 2018 to abolish presidential term limits, which significantly increases the likelihood of his pursuit of lifelong leadership. Beyond the intricate dynamics of power struggles, the most significant risk factor that could impact the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime is Xi Jinping's health.
Since 2018, observations of Xi Jinping's health have served as a crucial indicator for external speculation about potential shifts within the Zhongnanhai leadership. During the Third Plenary Session in July 2024, reports emerged that Xi suddenly suffered a stroke and lost consciousness at the event, leading to online rumors that CCP elders had joined forces with Zhang Youxia to pressure Xi into resigning. Following a series of incidents involving Xi's military allies, such as He Weidong and Miao Hua, doubts intensified regarding Xi's control over the military. The power struggles within Zhongnanhai have become increasingly complex, particularly concerning Xi Jinping's health.
From 2023 to 2025, external observers have noted abnormal signs in Xi Jinping's public appearances and diplomatic engagements on CCTV, including difficulties in walking, a stiff gait, and a lack of facial expression. This has led to speculation that Xi's previous stroke may not be a mere figment of imagination, fabrication, or simplistic conspiracy theories.
In 2026, there was a notable increase in overseas public discourse concerning Xi Jinping's 'health issues.' During the BRICS summit in India, overseas dissidents circulated claims that Xi Jinping had 'collapsed' and experienced an 'ischemic stroke.' The Indian Ministry of External Affairs clarified these as false reports, and the Wall Street Journal also stated that there was no evidence supporting claims of a stroke or fainting. Nevertheless, images of Xi Jinping boarding and disembarking from planes with his left arm appearing stiff like a prosthetic circulated widely online. The highly centralized power structure of the Chinese Communist Party, combined with its extreme information secrecy, has turned the health of its leaders into a top state secret, which in turn amplifies the influence and impact of international public opinion on the CCP regime.
Additionally, it is increasingly noteworthy that Peng Liyuan's role in the political turmoil at Zhongnanhai and the question of Xi Jinping's continued power is gaining significant attention, with international media reassessing her involvement. Communications from the Wall Street Journal and analysis by Wei Dening indicate that Peng Liyuan may be more crucial than many realize. As a former renowned singer in the military's political performance troupe, she toured various military districts for years early in her career, attended numerous banquets, and established connections with many high-ranking military officials, thereby building a robust network within the People's Liberation Army that Xi Jinping himself lacks. Wei Dening explicitly stated that her actual role may lie within the military cadre assessment system (related to the Central Military Commission's cadre evaluation committee), where she is responsible for evaluating the loyalty and capabilities of senior military officials; 'Xi Jinping heavily relies on her network, as he does not possess the same depth of military connections that she does.'
Some analysts abroad have even referred to her as "the most powerful woman in China since Jiang Qing." During his visit to the United States, Xi Jinping was frequently seen holding Peng Liyuan's hand while ascending and descending stairs in public, a gesture interpreted not only as physical support but also as a symbol of political trust. In a system characterized by highly personalized power, the First Lady's emergence from behind the scenes to exert real influence signals subtle shifts in the power structure.
Even more surprising to the outside world was the report from The Wall Street Journal that the West Wing of the White House had arranged a private "waiting room" specifically for Peng Liyuan to accompany Xi Jinping during breaks in their activities, excluding even key aides like Cai Qi, who heads the Central Guard Bureau and the Central Health Commission, responsible for the safety and health of the top leader. This revelation is quite shocking. It suggests several implications. Firstly, it indicates a decline in Xi Jinping's trust in Cai Qi, as it raises the question of why even he was not allowed to enter. Secondly, Cai Qi may be facing a risk of losing power, especially with recent rumors that Zhao Yide could replace him as the head of the General Office. During the Trump-Xi meeting, Zhou Hongxu from the Central Guard Bureau attended as the deputy director of the General Office, which also suggests that Cai Qi may be experiencing a decentralization of power. Thirdly, Xi Jinping's health issues have become a closely guarded secret, with only Peng Liyuan being privy to this information immediately, while others are kept in the dark. Xi's health concerns are directly linked to the CCP regime, which indirectly implies that the only person Xi Jinping may still trust is Peng Liyuan.
Meanwhile, the Taipei Times reported on September 27, citing sources from the Washington media, that another layer of diplomatic secrecy emerged during the Xi-Trump meeting: the itinerary for the National Archives was unexpectedly and significantly shortened. Initially, the U.S. planned for Xi Jinping to view the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, as well as the Wangxia Treaty and the Treaty of Tianjin, and finally to examine the San Francisco Peace Treaty, which China did not sign. The second article of the latter only states that Japan renounces all rights to Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, without specifying sovereignty, which serves as the core basis for the 'Taiwan status undecided' theory. The Chinese side strongly opposed this, resulting in the cancellation of all subsequent activities after viewing the Declaration of Independence, with the visit ultimately lasting only about ten minutes. Some documents were even removed prior to the visit. This incident highlights that even at the highest levels of U.S.-China bilateral interactions, the Taiwan issue can quickly provoke a sensitive response from China, and the rushed adjustments to the itinerary may also relate to the leaders' physical stamina and focus.
In conclusion, information revealed by media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and various sources indicates that Xi Jinping's health has indeed faced some challenges, which cannot be addressed with the current medical resources available to the Communist Party of China. From a medical standpoint, the effects of a stroke and its aftereffects on party and government leaders are scientifically objective. Ischemic or hemorrhagic strokes, even in mild cases, can result in hemiplegia, balance issues, significantly increased fatigue, diminished executive function, slower processing speeds, and impaired risk assessment and long-term planning capabilities. Given that it involves the brain, organ transplantation is not a viable solution. If a leader experiences ongoing physical limitations, it will impact the quality of decision-making, sustained attention, and endurance in complex negotiations. In the highly centralized structure of the Communist Party of China, these issues could directly jeopardize the stability of the regime.
Since the abolition of term limits in 2018, Xi Jinping has broken the traditional 'seven up, eight down' rule and began his third term in 2022 without designating a successor in advance, as was previously the norm. As we look ahead to the upcoming Fifth Plenary Session, there are no indications that Xi Jinping plans to step down, and there are no visible signs of a successor. With the 21st National Congress scheduled for 2027, it is almost certain that he will remain in power, although we may see significant changes in the Politburo Standing Committee and the Central Committee due to age. The period surrounding the Fifth Plenary Session will be a critical window for personnel changes. The ongoing purges and vacancies within the military leadership will further intensify internal power struggles. Xi Jinping's loyalty checks are expected to become even more stringent, and the potential role of Peng Liyuan in this context, from both a political science perspective and historical experience, is unlikely to stabilize the regime; instead, it may heighten the uncertainty within the power structure.
The fundamental logic of Chinese Communist Party politics has always prioritized 'stability above all else.' However, when supreme power becomes highly personalized, information is tightly controlled, and the institutionalized succession mechanism is effectively abandoned, any public signals regarding the leader's health can quickly escalate into increased systemic risk for the regime. The more power is concentrated, the higher the costs of maintaining it; as the leader's health becomes more opaque, the risks and uncertainties surrounding the regime become more pronounced.
Is Xi Jinping planning to designate a successor? Based on the publicly available information, he shows no intention of doing so. The reshuffling of personnel, the significant movement of provincial and ministerial officials, loyalty assessments, and self-revolution are all focused solely on whether the regime can function according to Xi Jinping's will, rather than on his desire to choose a successor. This encapsulates the Xi Jinping paradox: he wishes for the red regime to endure indefinitely while simultaneously wanting to monopolize power without limits, which is as futile as trying to catch fish in a tree. Ultimately, his intricate calculations may lead to the downfall of the party's maternal figure!
(First published by the People News)△
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