South African President Falls Ill As Questions Emerge Over Xi Jinping’s Health Days After BRICS Summit.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stepped back from public duties after returning from the BRICS summit in India due to ill health.
his office said on Wednesday, citing ill health.
Ramaphosa, 73, returned from New Delhi on Monday and was advised by his doctors to rest and recover.
His absence comes as Deputy President Paul Mashatile continues recovering from a minor medical procedure, leaving both of South Africa’s top leaders away from public duties.
Claims Surface About Xi Jinping’s Health Meanwhile, unverified claims about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s health have surfaced following his visit to New Delhi for the BRICS summit.
Wanjun Xie, chairman of the China Democracy Party, alleged in a post on X that Xi fainted during the summit and was flown back to China for emergency medical treatment.
Xie further claimed that Xi was taken to Beijing’s Chinese PLA General Hospital, also known as Beijing 301 Hospital, after returning on a special flight.
The post alleged that Xi suffered a severe ischemic stroke and that doctors were assessing his condition.
It also claimed that concerns about revealing his health condition in India influenced his decision to return to Beijing for treatment.
However, there has been no official confirmation of the claims. Neither the Chinese government nor Indian authorities have announced that Xi suffered a stroke, fainted or was hospitalised.
Further speculation suggested that Xi’s reported health condition could affect a planned late-September visit to the United States.
China’s government said Xi returned to Beijing on September 13 after attending the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, accompanied by senior officials including Cai Qi and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
The BRICS summit concluded on Sunday, with discussions focusing on inclusive global growth and the Middle East.
Ramaphosa’s office said that, where possible, ministers had been asked to represent him at scheduled engagements. Mashatile said his recovery was progressing well and that he was “regaining strength each day,” adding that he would continue resting on his doctors’ advice.
