全通翻譯/翻譯社

China’s future leader Xi Jinping nowhere to be found 

老習十八大

被視為胡錦濤接班人的、中國國家副主席習近平，已經消失12天了。有關他的去向和健康，外界眾說紛紜，甚至有媒體指出習近平性命垂危、正在和死神拔河。而中國官方媒體，中新網，昨天則是報導，習近平對上周辭世的一名共產黨大老家屬致哀，這是自習近平神隱以來，官媒首度提及他的名字。

中國外交部發言人洪磊，每天被記者追問習近平下落，答案都是不知道。

[[中國外交部發言人 洪磊]]
“習近平副主席涉外活動的安排，我們都已經即時向大家介紹，沒有相關信息發佈”

眼看18大召開在即，第五代領導接班人卻人間蒸發，中南海噤口不談，外界謠言滿天飛。不過現在各方的說法、幾乎都指向心臟病發作或中風。

[[香港中國問題專家 林和立]]
“我從北京官員那裡得知的，他病得不輕，跟希拉蕊見面前就生病了”

英國的"泰晤士報"12號也指出，北京一些負責接待的酒店，都已經接到了18大可能延期、但不確定延到何時的消息。看起來，習近平的健康情況似乎已經讓中南海的接班計劃、亂了套。

[[香港中國問題專家 林和立]]
“在中國，高層官員的健康狀況，都被視為國家機密”

不過，也有一說法是從中國其他高層領袖的行程，沒有因此被打亂可以看出，習近平的健康是無礙，甚至正在康復中的。下週，他將會出席胡錦濤主持的政治局會議，萬一屆時習近平再缺席，那麼恐怕18大的接班，就真的要生變了。

It is now 12 days since Xi Jinping, the man touted as China’s president-to-be, has been seen. Wild speculation has arisen over his fate, with no concrete answers. But his name did appear in Chinese media Wednesday for the first time since he disappeared, with Xi reportedly offering condolences to the family of a fallen party comrade. 

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei has been asked about Xi Jinping’s whereabouts on a daily basis, and his answer has been the same.

Hong Lei
PRC Foreign Ministry Spokesman
We have already introduced the activities arranged for Vice Chairman Xi Jinping. There is no related news to report. 

Communist Party headquarters at Zhongnanhai has also remained silent, even though the party’s 18th National Congress where Xi was to be crowned is not far away. Rumors have been flying, but the consensus seems to be that Xi suffered a heart attack or stroke.

Willy Lam
Hong Kong China Expert
According to what I heard from officials in Beijing, he had a serious illness before the visit of Hillary Clinton. 

On Wednesday, the Times of London reported that hotels in Beijing have received word that the 18th Party Congress may be delayed but it’s not clear by how long. What does seem clear is that Xi’s health is disrupting the party’s plans, even if nothing is being made public. 

Willy Lam
Hong Kong China Expert
In China, however, the health conditions of top officials are considered to be state secrets.

Some observers say, however, that other high-ranking leaders are following their schedules as normal, an indication, perhaps, that Xi is recovering or his health is fine. The next big test comes next week, when Xi is scheduled to attend a Politburo meeting chaired by Chinese President Hu Jintao. If he’s a no-show, that could spell trouble for China’s succession plans.

資料來源：民視英語新聞