Xi dispels rumors with televised visit to exhibit

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping reappeared on state television on Tuesday after being absent from public view for several days, sparking rumors about the 69-year-old leader's political fortunes.

Xi was shown visiting a display at the Beijing Exhibition Hall on the theme "Forging Ahead into the New Era." Accompanied by Premier Li Keqiang and other top leaders, Xi, also the head of the ruling Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army (PLA), viewed some of the displays and commented on the East Asian country's economic progress over the past decade.