Xi Jinping, 59, has not been seen in public since September 1, setting off rumours that he may be seriously ill or worse ahead of his unveiling at the Communist party's 18th Congress. Such is the opacity of the party, however, that there has been no explanation for Mr Xi's absence; yesterday (MON), the Chinese Foreign ministry simply said, after several questions: "We have told everyone everything". The last sighting of Mr Xi, the current vice-president, came when he gave a speech at the Central Party School in Beijing. Eyebrows were raised when his aides then cancelled a meeting with...