Xi Jinping’s main recent activity has been the BRICS summit in New Delhi and preparation for a U.S. visit next week.
Upcoming Washington visit
Xi is scheduled to visit the United States next week—his first trip there in more than a decade. President Trump is expected to greet him on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a call in the days before the trip, reportedly to lock down details.
Topics in play include trade, AI, possible steps on military contacts, and cases of detained U.S. citizens. Families of some detained Americans have been pressing the White House ahead of the visit.
BRICS summit (New Delhi, Sept. 12–13)
Xi attended the 18th BRICS summit, his first visit to India in nearly seven years. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi; both sides said China and India should be partners rather than rivals and that differences should not become disputes.
In his speeches Xi called on BRICS to strengthen unity among the Global South and play a stabilizing role. He returned to Beijing on the evening of Sept. 14.
Health rumors
Unverified claims circulated that Xi suffered a mini-stroke or other illness at the summit, left early, skipped a gala dinner, and was treated at Beijing’s 301 Hospital. A U.S.-based Chinese exile promoted the story. India’s Ministry of External Affairs fact-checked social-media posts claiming multiple leaders fell ill after the summit. There has been no official Chinese confirmation, and the U.S. visit remains on the calendar.
Domestic statements
- Xi issued instructions to expand and strengthen advanced manufacturing, stressing smart, green, self-reliant industrial chains as the backbone of the real economy. Premier Li Qiang spoke at the related national conference.
- An article by Xi on strengthening basic research was published in Qiushi.
- He sent a congratulatory letter for Jilin University’s 80th anniversary and a letter to Fujian police urging them to serve the people with dedication.
These items come mainly from Chinese state media (Xinhua, SCIO), SCMP, Newsweek, and other outlets covering the same events this week. Official Chinese reporting emphasizes manufacturing, BRICS, and the India meeting; Western coverage also highlights the U.S. trip and the unconfirmed health rumors.
