WSJ: Unusual Rest Breaks for Xi Jinping Sucked Hours Out of Summit With Trump

Beijing pared back the schedule and insisted on private downtime for China’s 73-year-old leader

Chinese officials made unusual demands that the U.S. accommodate Xi Jinping’s need for rest during a summit with President Trump, offering a rare glimpse of the 73-year-old leader’s emerging physical limitations, said people familiar with the visit planning.

Chief among the requests was a private room inside the West Wing for Xi to take a break between events, with only his wife, Peng Liyuan, permitted to join him, the people said. No others from the Chinese delegation were allowed to use the “hold room,” as it was called.

https://www.wsj.com/world/china/xi-jinping-health-caf250f1 (paywall)

different article

"Chinese officials sought unusually long rest periods for President Xi Jinping during his recent Washington summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, cutting hours from the leaders’ schedule, the Wall Street Journal reported exclusively.

"Beijing’s requests included a private room inside the West Wing where Xi could rest between events, with only his wife, Peng Liyuan, permitted to join him, according to people familiar with planning for the visit.

"Chinese officials also declined a planned working lunch between Xi and Trump on Sept. 24, the summit’s only full day, saying they preferred additional downtime for Xi. The scheduling changes resulted in a roughly five-hour gap in the agenda during a visit lasting less than two days.

"No activities were arranged for Xi on the evening of his arrival following a roughly 14-hour flight from Beijing. His visit to the National Archives on Sept. 25 lasted about 10 minutes, shorter than U.S. officials had planned.

"The Journal said Xi’s team also structured the schedule around considerations including how long he could stand and walk and when he would need breaks. Dennis Wilder, a former senior China director at the National Security Council, described the private room arrangement as unusual compared with previous state visits he helped organize.

"The bilateral meeting at the White House on Sept. 24 began close to noon and ended by early afternoon. Xi then left the White House and returned for the state dinner that evening, limiting the time available for substantive discussions.

"The report pointed to visible caution in Xi’s movements during the visit, including holding Peng’s hand as he descended aircraft stairs and climbed steps at the National Archives.

"The Journal said some scheduling changes could be explained by jet lag. It also cited analysts who said they saw no signs of cognitive decline in Xi’s public appearances.

"Questions surrounding China’s leadership succession have attracted attention because Xi has not designated a successor. He holds China’s three major leadership positions as Communist Party general secretary, president, and chairman of the Central Military Commission."

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