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Xi's presence at the summit was intended to position him as the central figure. Yet, much of the world's attention shifted elsewhere—notably towards his appearance and hotel choice, rather than his speeches or meetings. Photos of Xi's appearance, especially one showing him apparently taller by several inches, sparked online speculation, with some rumors even suggesting the use of a body double. This odd height anomaly—reportedly an increase of about four inches—defied logic, as no footwear or camera angles could convincingly explain such a dramatic change. Comparisons with figures like Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump from previous years indicated that Trump hadn't significantly shrunk, challenging rumors that Xi had appeared taller due to footwear or other tricks.