Zhao Leji, China’s top lawmaker, missed a crucial parliament session due to a respiratory infection, marking his first absence in two decades. His deputy led the session, while Zhao later met journalists to express thanks for their coverage, emphasizing the importance of media in reporting on party activities.

Zhao Leji, the top lawmaker of China and a key leader in the Communist Party, addressed journalists after missing a major parliamentary session, as reported by state media. His absence marked a significant event, being the first time in nearly twenty years that a member of the Politburo Standing Committee was not present at the occasion, indicating a break from tradition.

The session Zhao missed was a plenary meeting of the National People’s Congress, which is attended by numerous delegates from across the nation. His deputy, Li Hongzhong, led the session, stating that Zhao was absent due to a respiratory infection, a deviation from the usual secrecy surrounding the health of senior leaders within the party.

While Zhao’s absence was attributed solely to a health issue, it is noteworthy that other high-profile figures have recently encountered mysterious health-related absences. For instance, former foreign minister Qin Gang missed an important summit for unspecified health reasons and subsequently faced dismissal after a month-long absence, which was allegedly tied to personal misconduct.

Zhao later met with state media personnel to express gratitude for their coverage of the parliamentary events. He particularly recognized the importance of the media in highlighting the activities of General Secretary Xi Jinping. The meeting was attended by officials from the Communist Party’s publicity department as well as reporters from various state media organizations, emphasizing the party’s commitment to communication with the press.

Zhao Leji’s unexpected absence from a key National People’s Congress event raises questions about the health of senior leaders within the Communist Party. Despite this, he took the opportunity to engage with journalists the following day, stressing the significance of media coverage in portraying the activities of the party’s leadership. This incident reflects both the transparency and the underlying concerns related to the health of high-ranking officials in China.

Original Source: www.usnews.com

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