China VP's Absences Prompt Rumors

Canceled four appointments and missed Communist Party meeting

Speculation has been mounting about the whereabouts of China's leader-in-waiting, Xi Jinping, who has not been seen for over a week.

Vice-President Xi cancelled a meeting with the visiting Danish prime minister on Monday - his fourth missed appointment within a week.

He also failed to attend an important Communist party meeting on Friday.

Mr Xi is expected to be appointed China's new leader at the party congress next month.