China's Deng 'very healthy'

HONG KONG - The Chinese leader, Deng Xiaoping, is in good health and watched national day celebratory fireworks on 1 October, his youngest daughter, Deng Rong, said at a property promotion. She added that her father was 'very healthy', considering 'he is an old man of 90 years'.

'If his health is bad, I will not be able to find time to carry my own activities,' said Ms Deng, 40, who is also her father's private secretary.

Speculation about Mr Deng's health has grown since February when he last appeared in public - on television in Shanghai. AFP