Xi Jinping sparks global health fears after skipping BRICS gala dinner and vanishing from public view

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit, where Modi was filmed asking a visibly unwell-seeming Xi Jinping "Are you OK?" — later attributed to a faulty translation earpiece.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has been out of the public eye since departing the BRICS summit in New Delhi ahead of schedule, having skipped the gala dinner and flown back to China on 13 September after a visit of little more than 24 hours. During the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was filmed stopping his opening remarks to turn to Xi, who was seated next to him, and ask "Are you OK?" — a moment that set off widespread speculation. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained that Xi had fulfilled his agenda without incident and made no statement regarding his health. Focus has now shifted to whether a planned summit between Xi and President Trump, set for next week, will take place.

Modi's "are you OK?" moment was later explained by Chinese reporters as a mix-up over faulty earphones used for real-time translation.

The SunChina’s Xi Jinping sparks public health fears amid global tensions wsj.comXi Jinping Skipped One Dinner—and Sparked a Flurry of Questions About His Health - wsj.com mk.co.krRumors of health abnormalities about Chinese President Xi Jinping are spreading. This is because he - mk.co.kr Daily Mail NewsHow China's President Xi Jinping has been dogged by health rumours from heart attack, cancer and stroke speculation to 'mystery disappearance'The SunWhat Happens When Xi Jinping dies? Rumours Swirl Communist Tyrant Dead But Is West ready?

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