 China's future leader appeared energetic Wednesday in a meeting with the U.S. defense secretary, his first appearance with a foreign dignitary since dropping from public view and raising a flurry of questions about his health and turbulence in the succession process. “I appreciate all of your support in encouraging better military-to-military relations between our two countries.” 
 
 U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta (L) shakes hands with China's Vice President Xi Jinping before meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 19, 2012. Panetta met Wednesday with Chinese leader-in-waiting... (Associated Press) 
 
 China's Vice President Xi Jinping gestures next to U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, unseen, in a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012. U.S. Defense Secretary Panetta... (Associated Press) 
 
 Vice President Xi Jinping and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met for more than an hour to discuss U.S.-China military relations, Pentagon press secretary George Little said. In keeping with its secretive one-party political system, Beijing has offered not a shred of information about why Xi was not seen in public, triggering speculation he had injured his back or suffered a heart attack or stroke.
– Xi Jinping, the man expected to become China's new leader next month, appeared in public again today, this time to meet with Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta, reports the Washington Post. Xi's sudden and unexplained cancellation of several high profile meetings, including one with Hillary Clinton, had fueled rampant rumors about his well being. But Xi appeared energetic, notes the AP, smiling and exchanging a handshake and a few words with Panetta in front of the cameras. The two met for more than an hour. "Frankly my impression was that he was very healthy and very engaged," Panetta said afterward.