PATRIARCH Mr Deng Xiaoping and former president Mr Yang Shangkun have missed the annual tree-planting ceremony in Beijing.
However, almost the entire politburo, including disgraced former military strongman General Yang Baibing, showed up for the greening ritual in Biyu Park in the centre of the city.
And the media highlighted the core status of party General Secretary Mr Jiang Zemin, who replaced Mr Yang Shangkun as head of state at the recent National People's Congress (NPC).
Some diplomatic observers in Beijing believed Mr Deng, 88, did not attend the closing ceremony of the NPC last Wednesday because of ill health.
However, they agreed it was a minor problem, and the patriarch was not affected by a serious illness.
Mr Deng has not attended the greening ritual, which began 15 years ago, since the spring of 1988.
However, it was the first time that Mr Yang, 86, who is noted for his robust health, had missed the ceremony.