On November 12, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a ceremony in Beijing to commemorate the 160th birthday of Sun Yat-sen. This event, when compared to a similar celebration held ten years ago, exhibited several anomalies that have raised eyebrows. These discrepancies have paralleled those observed during the October celebrations of the Long March, leading some to suspect that concerns about Xi Jinping’s health might be more substantiated than previously thought.
An analysis of publicly available information indicates that Xi Jinping’s speech at the 160th anniversary ceremony was significantly shorter than his address from 2016. The recent speech was reduced by about one third, translating to a decrease of approximately 2,200 words. Official records show that the 2016 speech totaled 6,215 words, while the 2026 address clocked in at just 4,005 words, a notable reduction in substance.
Furthermore, there were differences in the physical demeanor of Xi during the two events. In 2016, he delivered his speech while standing; however, in 2026, he opted to sit while speaking. This shift has drawn attention, especially considering that the previous ceremony was broadcasted live through television and online platforms, whereas this year’s commemoration was shared only via recorded segments and brief reports through new media, lacking a full broadcast by state-run networks.
The discrepancies continued with another significant event. In 2016, during the celebration of what was termed the “Victory of the Long March,” Xi stood while delivering his address; yet during the 2026 commemoration of the “Victory of the Long March,” he again chose to sit. The dramatic decline in the length of his speeches has become apparent, with the 2016 address exceeding 9,700 words compared to just around 3,000 this year. Unlike 2016, which featured extensive live coverage, the recent event lacked any live broadcasting, further fueling speculation.
According to experts such as Li Linyi, the change from standing to sitting and the decrease in speech length may suggest declining health issues for Xi Jinping, prompting the official apparatus to limit his speaking engagements. Evidence of Xi’s health concerns surfaced more explicitly during his September visit to the United States, where reports indicated he required a dedicated rest area and long breaks between activities. Observations noted that Xi seemed to need assistance from his wife, Peng Liyuan, even while navigating stairs, and there were notable instances of him missing a luncheon hosted by the President of the United States or a dinner during an earlier trip to India.
The lack of live broadcasts for these two recent events has raised eyebrows since live coverage generally makes it difficult for officials to control public scrutiny. Mistakes such as mispronunciations or coughing are easily captured by the audience, leading to increased speculation and concern. Officials may have altered their strategies after a notable incident last year where a private conversation between Xi and Vladimir Putin concerning organ transplants was inadvertently broadcast, suggesting a tightening of guidelines regarding public appearances for Xi.
In an authoritarian regime, the health status of its leaders is typically regarded as state secrets. Over recent years, rumors regarding Xi’s well-being, including claims of strokes, brain tumors, and secret surgeries, have become common, especially during turbulent internal political periods. Despite the swirling speculation, Xi has made public appearances following each set of rumors. Observations from various videos over the years, however, show him exhibiting noticeable instability while walking, involuntary head movements, and a lack of breath while speaking, alongside frequent blinking.
As Xi now navigates a complex web of internal and external pressures, there is heightened concern that sensitive health information could be analyzed by adversaries, potentially confirming rumors regarding his frail condition. It appears that his confidants, particularly Cai Qi, the director of the Central Office, have increased measures to manage public perception and protect Xi’s political standing amidst ongoing uncertainties. The unusual approach taken during these commemorative events suggests a definitive shift in how the CCP is handling its leader’s public image in light of mounting health concerns.