Viral Meme or Misleading Speculation? The "Xi Jinping Waves Goodbye" Image on X

On December 30, 2025, a post from the account @BRICSinfo (BRICS News) circulated widely on X, featuring an old photograph of Chinese President Xi Jinping raising his hand in what appears to be a wave during a session of China's National People's Congress. The image, often captioned or implied as "Xi Jinping waves goodbye," quickly went viral in certain geopolitical circles, sparking speculation that it symbolized Xi stepping down from power or signaling the end of his leadership era.

However, this interpretation is largely unfounded and stems from a classic case of an outdated photo being repurposed as a meme to fuel rumors.

The Image Itself: An Old, Routine Gesture

The photo depicts Xi in a formal setting—seated in a wooden-paneled hall with orange seating, wearing a dark suit and red tie, raising his right hand in an open-palm wave while speaking or reacting. This is a common gesture during China's annual "Two Sessions" (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), where leaders acknowledge applause, vote, or simply interact.

Similar images of Xi waving in parliamentary settings date back years:

These are from past congresses (e.g., 2017, 2023), showing nearly identical poses. The viral version is not new and has no direct tie to recent events.

Context of the Post and Account

@BRICSinfo is an independent account focused on BRICS-related news and geopolitics, explicitly stating it is not an official government account. As of late 2025, it has a large following for real-time updates on emerging economies, Russia-China relations, and anti-Western narratives.

The specific post in question (ID: 2005940288036945960) did not explicitly claim Xi was retiring. Instead, the viral spread came from users interpreting the wave as symbolic—often in replies or quotes tying it to ongoing rumors about Xi's leadership. The account's other recent posts focused on topics like China-Taiwan tensions, not domestic Chinese politics.

Rumors of Xi's Retirement: Persistent but Unsubstantiated

Speculation about Xi Jinping stepping down has ebbed and flowed since mid-2025, fueled by:

• His first-ever absence from the BRICS summit in July 2025 (sending Premier Li Qiang instead).
• Ongoing military purges and reports of internal party delegations of power.
• Economic challenges and diplomatic absences.

Some overseas outlets and commentators suggested these signaled a weakening grip or preparation for transition ahead of the 2027 Party Congress. However, as of December 2025, Xi remains firmly in control:

• He presided over high-profile events, including a major military parade in September 2025 commemorating WWII victory.
• He hosted international leaders (e.g., Macron in December) and pushed initiatives like global governance reforms.
• Reliable sources (Reuters, NYT, BBC) report no credible evidence of imminent retirement; Xi continues to project strength and long-term ambitions through 2035 and beyond.

Mainstream coverage treats retirement rumors as speculative, often driven by wishful thinking in Western or anti-CCP circles.

Why This Meme Resonates in BRICS/Geopolitical Communities

Accounts like @BRICSinfo cater to audiences skeptical of Western dominance, often amplifying narratives of multipolarity (e.g., BRICS challenging the US-led order). Pairing an old Xi photo with "goodbye" implications fits a trope of hoping for shifts in global power dynamics—perhaps a less assertive China under new leadership. Yet it overlooks Xi's consolidated power since removing term limits in 2018.

In reality, such memes highlight how old images can be weaponized on social media to push agendas, especially amid real geopolitical tensions (e.g., Taiwan, trade wars).

Conclusion

The "Xi waves goodbye" post is entertaining clickbait but not evidence of anything substantive. Xi Jinping shows no signs of stepping down as 2025 ends—he's actively leading China on the world stage. For Steemit readers interested in BRICS and geopolitics, this serves as a reminder to verify image origins and contexts before drawing big conclusions. Viral memes can spread fast, but facts endure longer.

(Word count: ~650 – suitable for a Steemit article with images for engagement.)