On March 11th, during the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, the absence of Zhao Leji, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee and Chairman of the NPC, has sparked widespread attention. Zhao had also been absent from the closing ceremony of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) on March 10th and did not attend the third meeting of the NPC Standing Committee.
Li Hongzhong, Vice Chairman of the NPC and member of the Politburo, filled in for Zhao Leji to preside over the closing ceremony, stating that Zhao’s absence was due to a respiratory tract infection. This explanation diverges from the usual secrecy surrounding the health conditions of high-level Chinese leaders.
According to Voice of America, the health status of top Chinese officials is classified as confidential, rarely disclosed to the public. Therefore, suspicions arise regarding the explanation that Zhao Leji’s absence was due to a “respiratory tract infection.”
It is unprecedented in over twenty years for the Chairman of the NPC to be absent from such a significant event as the closing ceremony of the NPC.
Song Wendi, a China political analyst with the Atlantic Council, commented that this situation is highly unusual and “extremely rare.”
Prior to missing the NPC closing ceremony, mainland Chinese state media reported that Zhao Leji was also absent from the CPPCC closing ceremony on March 10th and the third meeting of the NPC Standing Committee, without providing an official explanation.
Despite his absence, Zhao Leji’s photo still appears on the official website of the NPC.
Before this incident, Zhao Leji served as the Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the Communist Party of China for five years. Official media reports stated that he attended all public meetings arranged by Xi Jinping.
Voice of America suggests that being absent “due to illness” often carries an ominous connotation within the Chinese Communist Party’s system, potentially indicating a problematic situation.
In 2023, Qin Gang, a former Chinese Foreign Minister, was absent from a diplomatic summit held in Indonesia, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributing it to “health reasons.” However, Qin Gang mysteriously disappeared for a month afterward. Various rumors circulated, alleging his involvement in extramarital affairs, among other misconducts. Several months later, his resignation was officially confirmed by the authorities.
A commentary by Radio France International points out that the Communist Party rarely discloses the health conditions of senior leaders and avoids discussing their age, making it challenging for analysts to track political developments.
In October 2022, Hu Jintao, Xi Jinping’s predecessor, was escorted out from the closing ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party, attracting significant international attention. Official Chinese media reported at the time that he was feeling “indisposed.”
Reuters noted that given the meticulous planning of such events, Zhao Leji’s absence from the NPC closing ceremony is highly unusual.