Read more: https://sc.mp/coa9e

Zhao Leji, the third most senior official in China’s ruling Communist Party and chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, was absent from the closing of the country’s top legislature on March 11, 2025. The previous day, the 68-year-old also did not attend the closing of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and missed two meetings of the NPC’s presidium, which is usually presided over by the NPC chairman. China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said deputy NPC chief Li Hongzhong was “entrusted by Zhao Leji” to preside over the two meetings. Li said Zhao had requested to leave the annual political meetings because of a respiratory tract infection.