Speculation about Xi Jinping’s health has resurfaced after the Chinese president arrived in the United States for a state visit with President Donald Trump.
Trump greeted Xi in person on the tarmac on Wednesday. It marked the first time in more than 60 years that a US president had welcomed a foreign political leader at Joint Base Andrews, near Washington.
Online viewers quickly focused on Xi’s arrival, claiming the Chinese leader appeared to grip his wife’s hand tightly while walking down the aircraft stairs, seemingly relying on her for additional support.
Wanjun Xie, the exiled chairman of the China Democracy Party, commented on X: “If you look closely, you’ll see that as Xi Jinping descended the aircraft stairs, his left hand tightly gripped Peng Liyuan’s right hand.
“Peng Liyuan used her right hand to support Xi Jinping and prevent him from falling. If Peng Liyuan hadn’t been supporting Xi Jinping’s left hand, his left arm would have drooped, his left leg would have been weak, and his body would have tilted to the left.
“Xi Jinping’s symptoms clearly indicate the aftereffects of a stroke.”
Another Chinese activist account urged followers to study the footage closely, writing: “Everyone, please watch this video carefully.
“When Xi Jinping got off the plane, he was unable to effectively support the full weight of his body and had to forcefully grab Peng Liyuan’s hand.”
Online viewers claimed Xi appeared to hold his wife’s hand tightly as he walked down the aircraft stairs.
A Chinese activist account urged viewers to study the footage closely.
A separate video appeared to show Trump wincing as a loud military flyover passed above, while Xi did not visibly react.
One X user wrote: “This is strange, perhaps Xi has heart problems and is on a sedative.” Another commented: “Xi must be deaf or too far gone from age then.”
The latest claims are part of a long-running pattern of health rumours surrounding the Chinese leader. Over the years, online commentators have speculated that Xi suffered a heart attack, was diagnosed with cancer or survived a stroke.
Just a week earlier, similar conspiracy theories spread during the BRICS summit in India, after footage appeared to show Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pausing to check on Xi’s wellbeing.
The viral clip showed Modi interrupting his opening remarks and turning towards Xi after what appeared to be a commotion nearby.
“Is it okay?” Modi repeatedly asked the translator accompanying the Chinese leader, while several people who appeared to be aides or staff members moved towards Xi.
Later that day, Xi did not attend the gala dinner hosted by Modi for BRICS leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin was also present, and Xi’s absence prompted further online commentary about his health.
The exchange at the summit was later attributed not to a medical problem, but to a malfunctioning earpiece that carried the translator’s audio.
Rumours about Xi’s health reached an earlier peak in 2012, when he disappeared from public view for two weeks while serving as China’s vice-president. His absence fuelled speculation that he may have been the target of an attempted assassination.
Although claims about Xi Jinping’s alleged ill health have often been quickly challenged or disproved, speculation about the Chinese president continues to spread widely online.
In July 2024, a photo of the Chinese leader supposedly wincing in pain went viral on social media, with people claiming that he had suffered a stroke.
It turned out the image was taken from four months before, and the Chinese president was merely reacting to something he had drunk while at the National People’s Congress.
In September 2025, a hot mic caught Putin discussing immortality during a summit with Xi and Kim Jong Un in Beijing, to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The pair were heard chatting about the possibility of achieving immortality with organ transplants and advanced medical procedures.
Even before Xi became president, his health was a popular topic of speculation in the country, particularly among critics of the communist regime.
Another video appeared to show Trump wincing as a loud military flyover passed overhead, while Xi showed no reaction
This is despite the fact that the high level of internet censorship in China means that anything deemed a criticism of Xi or the Chinese Communist Party is blocked or immediately removed.
Leaders’ health is typically considered a state secret in China.
Donald Trump set the tone on Wednesday when he and Melania met the Chinese presidential couple on a red carpet at Joint Base Andrews, before a military band played the national anthems and US bombers flew noisily overhead.
‘I thought it was a great little meeting, a great greeting, and I think they appreciate it,’ Trump told reporters – brushing off the fact that Xi had not welcomed him at the airport for his Beijing state visit in May.
Trump confirmed that his stalled Iran war would be on the agenda, despite earlier playing down reports that Beijing was giving Tehran intelligence.
‘I’ll be talking about that and many other subjects – but it’s all coming along well, including that,’ Trump said.
Artificial intelligence is also set to dominate the summit amid growing fears that it risks wiping out humanity – even as China and the United States race for supremacy in the field.
Taiwan will also be on the cards, with Trump’s words likely to be watched for any sign of diminishing US support for the self-governing island that Beijing claims as its territory.
Xi’s visit will wrap up on Friday morning when the two presidential couples have tea at the White House and then visit the National Archives, home to the US Declaration of Independence.
