Recently a screenshot of a tweet was forwarded to our 24*7 Factline number 9049053770. According to the tweet, China’s President Xi Jinping suffered a stroke during the Third Plenary Session of the Chinese Communist Party. Chinese Human Rights reporter Jennifer Zhang claimed the brain stroke was massive and Xi Jinping is now in critical condition. There’s an image attached to the tweet which shows Xi Jinping looking pained.
The same claim was found on Facebook too. According to the Facebook post, “Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly suffered a stroke during a CCP Central Committee meeting.
The China government has not commented, but social media claims he collapsed in pain and was taken out by medical staff.
Chinese Human Rights reporter, Jennifer Zheng, claims the “brain” stroke was “massive” and Xi Jinping is now in a “critical condition”.”
Facebook Link | Archived Link.
However, as we investigated, we came to know that the images attached to the viral posts are not recent. Here’s the fact check.
Fact Check
We started our investigation by conducting a keyword search on Google to find out whether China’s President Xi Jinping really had a stroke. But no official confirmation has been made yet.
Moving forward, conducting a reverse image search of the viral images and found the first image of Xi Jinping where he looked pained. We found the image on the website of the Associated Press. The image was uploaded on 15 March, 2024. The description of the image read, “Chinese President Xi Jinping, rear, reacts after drinking from a cup at the closing session of the National People’s Congress held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo)”.
Conducting a reverse image search of the second image, we found a news report which was in Chinese language. Both the viral images were attached to the report. The report was published on 14 March 2024. The report read, “The “, two sessions” of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the National People’s Congress ended on the 11th. During the session, two tea cups were placed on the seat of Chinese President Xi Jinping as usual. However, foreign media captured an unusual scene. During the meeting, Xi Jinping took a sip from the cup and looked very uncomfortable. His facial features were all wrinkled. The photo went viral on the Internet, triggering many speculations.
This photo was taken by the Associated Press on March 11 at the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. In the picture, Xi Jinping is holding a teacup, closing his eyes, pursing his lips, and wrinkling his face. His expression seems to be quite painful”.
The description of the other photo, where two women wearing masks and gloves could be seen looking downward, read, “Staff members prepare Xi Jinping’s desk before the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress on the 11th. (AFP) (Photo:LTN)”
Other reports can be read here and here.
From this, it is clear that the viral photo is not recent. It shows Xi Jinping’s expressions after having a cup of tea.
Conclusion
From our investigation, we can say that though there are no confirmed reports on the claim that China’s President Xi Jinping had a stroke, the images attached to the viral posts are not recent. The viral images show Xi Jinping’s expressions after having a cup of tea while the other image shows staff members preparing Xi Jinping’s desk before the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress on 11 July 2024.
Title:Old Image Of China’s President Xi Jinping Going Viral Without Context.
Fact Check By: Debanjana BaishyaResult: Missing Context
