Fact Check: Xi Jin Ping is under house arrest.

Fact Check: "Xi Jinping is under house arrest."

What We Know

In September 2022, rumors circulated on social media claiming that Chinese President Xi Jinping was under house arrest following a supposed coup attempt. These rumors were fueled by Xi's absence from public view after returning from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan, his first international trip since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Social media posts suggested that Xi was ousted as head of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and placed under house arrest, with reports of military movements and flight cancellations adding to the speculation (Firstpost, Snopes).

The rumors originated from unverified social media accounts, including a Twitter account named New Highland Vision, which claimed that former Chinese leaders had orchestrated a coup against Xi. The account, however, admitted that it had not verified these claims (Firstpost). Additionally, Jennifer Zeng, a Twitter user with a significant following, reported that a large number of flights were canceled across China, further fueling the rumors. However, these cancellations were later attributed to COVID-19 measures rather than military actions (Firstpost, Snopes).

Analysis

The sources of the rumors about Xi Jinping's house arrest are primarily social media accounts with no credible verification. The Firstpost article highlights that the initial claims came from accounts with limited credibility and were not substantiated by any official sources. Furthermore, Snopes and Politifact both confirm that there is no evidence to support the claim that Xi Jinping was under house arrest. These fact-checking organizations are known for their rigorous verification processes, adding weight to their conclusions.

The reports of military movements and flight cancellations were also scrutinized. India Today found that while some flights were indeed canceled, this was consistent with patterns observed during COVID-19 outbreaks, not indicative of a coup. The video purportedly showing military movements was unrelated to the rumors of a coup (Firstpost).

The reliability of the sources spreading the rumors is questionable. Many of the accounts involved in disseminating the information have a history of promoting unverified claims. The absence of any official statement from the Chinese government or credible international news agencies further undermines the credibility of the coup and house arrest claims (WION, The Federal).

Conclusion

The claim that Xi Jinping is under house arrest is False. The rumors are based on unverified social media posts and have been debunked by multiple credible fact-checking organizations. There is no substantial evidence to support the claim, and the reports of military movements and flight cancellations have been attributed to other causes, such as COVID-19 measures. The lack of official confirmation or credible reporting on this matter further supports the conclusion that the claim is unfounded.

Fact Check: Xi Jin Ping is under house arrest.