Unprecedented Absence: China's NPC Speaker Misses Key Session

China's NPC speaker Zhao Leji missed a crucial parliamentary session due to a respiratory infection, marking a rare occurrence in Chinese politics. His absence highlights the unusual transparency in typically secretive health matters of leaders, with implications for political dynamics within the Communist Party.

Zhao Leji, the speaker of China's National People's Congress (NPC), was notably absent from a pivotal parliamentary session due to a respiratory ailment, as announced by Li Hongzhong, who acted as chair for the event. Zhao's absence is the first for such a high-ranking official in nearly two decades, raising eyebrows in political circles.

This departure from the government's customary secrecy regarding the health of senior leaders suggests an unusual level of transparency. Wen-Ti Sung, a Chinese politics analyst, noted the rarity of this occurrence, which was emphasized by Zhao's consistent presence at state meetings until now.

Zhao's no-show at the Great Hall of the People also revives past discussions about leader visibility, pointing to historical precedents like Hu Jintao's unexpected removal in 2022 due to health. These events draw attention to the tightly controlled media environment in China.

(With inputs from agencies.)