Missing Chinese leader Xi appears in public

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who disappeared from public view weeks before a Communist Party congress, Saturday finally made a public appearance, putting to rest wild rumours about his fate.

State-run Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that Vice President Xi Jinping Saturday called for strengthening public food and health knowledge in an effort to steer public attention toward food safety issues and prevent misconduct in the industry.

Xi made the remarks while visiting Beijing-based China Agricultural University for activities marking the National Science Popularization Day.

An accompanying photograph showed Xi with a slight smile. Just two days back, Sep 13, Xi sent condolences over the death of an official.

Xi had not been seen in public since Sep 1 when he was reported to have given a speech to the Central Party School in Beijing.

Since then, there had been considerable speculation following the cancellation of a number of meetings with high-profile foreign dignitaries.

Xi's meeting with US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was suddenly cancelled Sep 5.

No official reasons were also given for the cancellation of other appointments, including a meeting with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

US broadcaster CNN said the lack of an official comment fuelled rumours, 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.

China's leadership transition is keenly watched after Bo Xilai, once a fast-rising star in the party, was stripped of his leadership positions in April for an unspecified "breach of party discipline". He has not been seen publicly since.

Bo's wife Gu Kailai was convicted last month of murdering Neil Heywood, a British businessman, and received a suspended death sentence.

On Saturday, Xi said: "Food safety is a significant livelihood issue. While strengthening supervision and punishment, the whole society should be mobilized to focus on the issue in order to create a sound social environment."

After watching children conduct interactive experiments, Xi encouraged them to develop healthy eating habits. He also called on teachers to arrange more activities to promote science that cater to young people's tastes.