First Appearance in Three Months - Deng, 81, Scoffs at Ill-Health Rumors, Tells Plans to Retire

Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping, laughing off speculation that he is ill, appeared publicly in Peking for the first time in three months today and announced that he is thinking about retiring.

The 81-year-old Chinese leader, looking healthy and in high spirits, said in a 45-minute meeting with visiting Danish Prime Minister Poul Schlueter that he is purposely withdrawing from day-to-day affairs.

“In the past few years, I have purposely tried to disengage myself from day-to-day affairs so that other comrades will take up more responsibilities,” he said during the meeting in the cavernous Great Hall of the People.

“This is to show that the current policies in China do not hinge upon myself alone. This is why I have not made any public appearance for quite some time.”

At one point during their conversation, Deng offered Schlueter a Panda cigarette. His hand shaking slightly, the gravelly voiced Chinese leader lit Schlueter’s cigarette and quipped: “It’s not of very high quality, I’m afraid. This filter is too long.”