Chinese President Xi Jinping makes first public appearance on TV

On Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first appearance on state television after a several-day absence from the public view that caused rumors that the 69-year-old leader had lost control of the country.

Jinping was shown on the state TV of China visiting a display at the Beijing Exhibition Hall on the theme of Forging Ahead in the New Era. He was accompanied by Premier Li Keqiang and other top leaders, Xi, who is also head of the People's Liberation Army and the Communist Party.

The visit was the Chinese President's first appearance on television since he returned from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation SCO summit in Samarkand earlier this month. Under China's Zero Covid Policy, Jinping would have to stay in quarantine for a week after returning.

During the last few days rumors about Chinese President Xi Jinping being placed under house arrest had taken over social media, with rumours that Xi had been removed as the chief of China's People's Liberation Army PLA The timing of Jinping's absence just weeks before the convening of the Communist Party of China's crucial 20th Party Congress, held once every five years, has fanned the rumour mill. There were also pictures and videos circulating on social media claiming military trucks were on their way to Beijing.

Beginning October 16, Chinese President Jinping is expected to receive a third five-year term as party leader, breaking the tradition that limited leaders to two terms.

The opaque system of China gives rise to rumours of political infighting or attempted coups despite the stable nature of the authoritarian surveillance that cracks down on any sign of dissent, according to experts.

As per the media reports, Jinping is considered China's most powerful leader in decades, has no known active challengers, and has removed constitutional term limits, allowing him to rule for life if he wishes. It is not unusual for Chinese leaders to drop out of sight for days or weeks to attend informal political meetings held at the beachside resort of Beidaihe each summer.

Kerry Brown, Professor of Chinese Studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London, said he was highly skeptical that there was anything more to read into Xi's brief absence. He said if there was a discontent with Xi's leadership in the elite, it would be that there was deep discontent. We would have seen at least a bit of evidence. Brown said that the party is inherently risk averse and any person or group trying to pull off such radical action would have a very hard time attacking an edifice that has been built almost entirely around Xi.