( CNN ) -- Two weeks since his last public appearance , presumptive Chinese leader Xi Jinping was pictured attending an event Saturday in Beijing , state media reported . The state-run Xinhua news agency , on both its English- and Chinese-language websites , published a one-line story stating that Xi had arrived Saturday morning at China Agricultural University for activities tied to the nation 's annual National Science Popularization Day . An accompanying photo showed him wearing a coat and surrounded by other men as he strolled on the grounds of the Beijing university . Absence fuels intrigue before power transition . The 59-year-old vice president had not been seen in public since September 1 , when he was reported to have given a speech to the Central Party School in Beijing . Images published by major news websites after the date showed Xi smartly dressed in a dark suit and purple tie . Since then , the cancellation of a number of meetings with high-profile foreign dignitaries has created a storm of speculation as rumor and hearsay fill the void of official information . For a number of days , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei has declined to answer queries on Xi at the ministry 's daily press briefings . When Xi 's meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was abruptly canceled September 5 , American officials said their Chinese counterparts had blamed a `` scheduling conflict . '' No official reasons were given following the cancellation of other appointments , including a meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong . The lack of comment has fueled unsubstantiated rumors , including wild plot lines ranging from a car crash , to an assassination attempt . Others say Xi has been sidelined by a suspected heart attack or stroke , neither of which have been denied or confirmed . Xi has been mentioned as a possible successor to Chinese President Hu Jintao . In a matter of weeks , more than 2,000 delegates are expected to meet in Beijing for the Communist Party 's 18th National Congress . During their event , China 's political elite are expected to announce the results of months of political maneuvering , and the names of the five to seven new entrants to Politburo Standing Committee . Why China needs a PR makeover .
the Communist Party 's shows Vice President Hong Lei appearing at a China university . Media has not reported him being out in public since daily . Xi is seen as a contender to become Beijing 's next leader . His public absence has fueled speculation .