Chinese President Xi Jinping suffering from 'cerebral aneurysm': Reports

Beijing (China), May 10: Chinese President Xi Jinping is suffering from 'cerebral aneurysm' and had to be hospitalised at the end of 2021, according to media reports. As per the reports, the Chinese President preferred to be treated with traditional Chinese medicines rather than going for surgery, which softens the blood vessels and shrinks aneurysm. There have been concerns about Xi's health in recent months, as he has avoided meeting foreign leaders since the onset of Covid-19 until the Beijing Winter Olympics. Earlier in 2019, during his visit to Italy, Xi's gait was observed to be unusual with a noticeable limp and later also in France during the same tour, he was seen taking support while trying to sit down. Similarly, during a public address in Shenzhen in October 2020, his late arrival, slow speech, and coughing episode fueled suspicion about his health. These reports come as China's economy is strained by rising oil and gas prices, supply chain disruptions caused by the Ukraine conflict, and strict implementation of the zero-Covid policy. Also Read | India, Madagascar sign MoU to explore co-production of TV programmes With Chinese President Xi Jinping eyeing a record third term, the country has made a tactical decision to temporarily halt its focus on "common prosperity," slapping penalties on internet behemoths, and instead rush to support the economy, which is already under pressure. According to reports, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is strategically moving away from its "common prosperity" policy in the run-up to the upcoming 20th Party Congress, since the country does not want to become a less attractive market for investors due to the economic slowdown. Xi has attempted to present China as more rich, influential, and stable under his reign as he seeks re-election for a third five-year term later this year. Officials in the country, who were fervently promoting a new era of "Common Prosperity" by slamming penalties on tech behemoths and wealthy celebrities only a few months ago, have turned their focus to keeping the economy stable and growing for the time being. Also Read | Sri Lanka: Ex-PM, family flee to naval base amid lethal protests -PTC News