China's leader-to-be returning to public eye

CHINA’S ANOINTED leader Xi Jinping is expected to make his first public appearance this weekend as he recovers from a bad back, banishing rumours about his health that abounded after he dropped out of sight in early September.

Mr Xi, who visited Ireland in February, is tipped to be appointed Chinese leader at a party congress next month.

He has cancelled meetings with four foreign dignitaries, including US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, in the last month, sparking a slew of rumours about his health.

He is due to make his comeback, probably today, at a university somewhere in Beijing.

He apparently has been undergoing physiotherapy treatment for the past few weeks.

Earlier this week there were indications that he might be about to make his comeback when he expressed condolences on the death of an old party comrade in a Communist party newspaper.

The story was also posted on the Communist party’s website.

While Beijing has yet to formally announce a date for the party’s five-yearly congress at which Mr Xi is tipped to replace Hu Jintao as party chief, sources said last week it would start on October 15th.

According to the process, he is to formally assume the mantle of president in March next year.

Chinese government officials have repeatedly refused point blank to say what happened to Mr Xi, prompting rumours that ranged from a heart attack to an assassination attempt.