The Executive Office has refused to say whether Martin McGuinness has been working at Stormont this week.
The deputy first minister last week pulled out of a planned ministerial visit to China on personal grounds, just days before departure.
First Minister Arlene Foster travelled as the sole Northern Ireland leader, along with a delegation for the four day trip, which began on Monday.
On arrival, Mrs Foster joined a delegation headed by British government minister Jeremy Hunt, where she met vice premier of China, Madam Liu Yandong.
The Executive Office and the British Foreign Office have refused to say whether Mr McGuinness was originally scheduled to join Mr Hunt's delegation.
The Stormont leaders' office has also refused to tell The Irish News whether Mr McGuinness has been at work this week.
Several calls to the Executive press office yesterday drew no response.
Last Friday's statement said Mr McGuinness was not travelling due to "unforeseen personal circumstances". The Executive Office and Sinn Féin have refused to elaborate further on the reason for his absence.
