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China's Xi Jinping in first key meeting since absence China's Xi Jinping in first key meeting since absence
(about 5 hours later)
China's Vice-President Xi Jinping has met US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta in Beijing, in his first key meeting after a two-week absence.China's Vice-President Xi Jinping has met US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta in Beijing, in his first key meeting after a two-week absence.
Mr Xi's unexplained absence from public fuelled widespread rumours over his health and a political struggle.Mr Xi's unexplained absence from public fuelled widespread rumours over his health and a political struggle.
He is expected to become China's next Communist Party chief and president.He is expected to become China's next Communist Party chief and president.
The country is due to hold a key party congress in coming weeks that will see major changes in the top echelons of leadership.The country is due to hold a key party congress in coming weeks that will see major changes in the top echelons of leadership.
However, no date has been set for the meeting, which is being watched closely. However, no date has been set for the conference, which will be watched closely.
Mr Panetta is in Beijing for talks with his counterpart and top Chinese leaders, as part of an Asian tour that also includes Japan and New Zealand.Mr Panetta is in Beijing for talks with his counterpart and top Chinese leaders, as part of an Asian tour that also includes Japan and New Zealand.
It is his first visit to China as Pentagon chief.It is his first visit to China as Pentagon chief.
Mr Xi, accompanied by military officials, said seeing Mr Panetta reminded him of his visit to the United States in February, and that his visit will help in ''further advancing the state-to-state and military-to-military relations between our two countries".Mr Xi, accompanied by military officials, said seeing Mr Panetta reminded him of his visit to the United States in February, and that his visit will help in ''further advancing the state-to-state and military-to-military relations between our two countries".
"I sincerely wish your visit will be a good success," said Mr Xi."I sincerely wish your visit will be a good success," said Mr Xi.
'Expand trust'
Mr Panetta, who met his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie on Tuesday, has called for closer military contact between the US and China.Mr Panetta, who met his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie on Tuesday, has called for closer military contact between the US and China.
"The key is to have senior-level interactions that we are engaging in to reduce the potential of miscalculation, and boost real understanding and expand trust between our countries," he said."The key is to have senior-level interactions that we are engaging in to reduce the potential of miscalculation, and boost real understanding and expand trust between our countries," he said.
His visit comes as the US increases its military presence in Asia - which Washington has stressed is not directed at China, says the BBC's Martin Patience.
But Beijing remains wary about any American moves in the region, particularly Washington's close ties with Japan.
Chinese officials have called on the US to remain neutral over China's on-going territorial dispute with Tokyo, which has sparked violent protests in recent days.
But the US has concerns of its own, says our correspondent. It is seeking greater transparency on China's military programmes.
Rumours and speculationRumours and speculation
Mr Xi cancelled several meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, earlier this month.Mr Xi cancelled several meetings with visiting foreign dignitaries, including US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, earlier this month.
The uncharacteristic move in a country highly conscious of protocol sparked off a series of rumours over the state of Mr Xi's health, with suggestions ranging from a back injury to more serious conditions.The uncharacteristic move in a country highly conscious of protocol sparked off a series of rumours over the state of Mr Xi's health, with suggestions ranging from a back injury to more serious conditions.
His ''disappearance'' and the lack of an official statement, coupled with there being no clear date for the party congress, also prompted speculation of a power struggle within the Communist party.His ''disappearance'' and the lack of an official statement, coupled with there being no clear date for the party congress, also prompted speculation of a power struggle within the Communist party.
Some analysts said that some of the seats on the nine-strong politburo Standing Committee could still have been unallocated.Some analysts said that some of the seats on the nine-strong politburo Standing Committee could still have been unallocated.
There have also been suggestions that the number of seats for the top leadership ranks may be reduced from the current nine to seven.There have also been suggestions that the number of seats for the top leadership ranks may be reduced from the current nine to seven.
He re-emerged in the public eye on Saturday, as state media published photographs of him attending an event. No explanation was given on his absence. Mr Xi re re-emerged in the public eye on Saturday, as state media published photographs of him attending an event. No explanation was given for his absence.
Another Xinhua news agency report this week said Mr Xi will attend a China-Asean trade event in the city of Nanning next week.Another Xinhua news agency report this week said Mr Xi will attend a China-Asean trade event in the city of Nanning next week.
It is not clear if Mr Xi will be meeting leaders from the 10-nation regional bloc who will be at the event from 21 to 25 September. Burmese President Thein Sein is among those scheduled to attend. It is not clear if Mr Xi will be meeting leaders from the 10-nation regional bloc, who will be at the event from 21 to 25 September. Burmese President Thein Sein is among those scheduled to attend.