Chinese premier Xi Jinping won't go under the knife to treat a rumoured brain aneurysm, reports in China claim.
Bloggers suggested the Beijing leader, 68, prefers traditional medicine and will refuse brain surgery, according to posts removed by state censors.
At the start of the pandemic, China worked to export traditional medicine options for the treatment of Covid. Xi was one of the campaign's leading advocates.
The premier has reportedly struggled as a wave of ultra-strict Covid lockdowns across China stretch the nation's economy - and the government's ability to suppress dissent.