China's Vice President Xi Jinping has appeared in public for the first time in two weeks.

State news agency Xinhua reported Saturday that Xi had “arrived at China Agricultural University Saturday morning for activities marking this year's National Science Popularization Day''. It gave no other details.

Xi had not appeared at a number of meetings scheduled with foreign visitors since September 1, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He was last seen at the opening of the fall semester of the Beijing Communist Party school.

Official silence on the matter had fueled speculation about Xi's health. The most commonly repeated rumors suggested the 59-year-old suffered a mild stroke, heart attack, or back injury. But other more far-fetched rumors suggested he was the target of an assassination attempt by political foes.

Xi is expected to take over as the party leader later this year and as president next year as the country transitions to a new generation of leaders.