Opinion | Coming clean on Xi Jinping's health could have saved leaders major grief
China's leaders could have saved themselves major grief by doing away with the veil of secrecy over Vice-President Xi's health
The reappearance on Saturday of Vice-President Xi Jinping, the nation's presumed next leader after a two-week absence, has removed a political uncertainty facing the Communist Party currently wrapped up in intense preparations for a key leadership change next month.
But the recent rabid speculation over Xi's health, often bordering on the wild, has damaged the credibility and image of the country and its political system, highlighting once more that the excessive secrecy over the mainland leaders' health and private lives is unnecessary and counter-productive.
Mainland television footage on Saturday showed a healthy Xi smiling and walking as he attended a National Science Popularisation Day event at the China Agricultural University.
Interestingly, Xinhua reported Xi watching a group of students conduct an interactive scientific experiment called "where is Vc?", presumably about vitamin C. While Xi is widely addressed as the Vice-President, he is also known as the vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission.
Although the brief media report did not give any official explanation, it was clearly aimed at dispelling rumours about the state of Xi's health.
In another sign indicating his good health, Xinhua reported yesterday that Xi would attend the 9th China-Asean Expo's opening ceremony and other activities. The event begins on Friday in Nanning, Guangxi.
The reports show he has fully recovered from a mild ailment - a minor heart condition or a hurt back from swimming were two popular rumours.