appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

hooksArticlePageFloatingButtonConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

Guo Rui

Mimi Lau

On the last day of the Communist Party’s week-long national congress, the spotlight was momentarily focused on the unexpected departure of former Chinese president Hu Jintao from the stage at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
While the exact reason for Hu’s premature exit remains unclear, footage of his confused departure was widely discussed online.
A reporter for state news agency Xinhua wrote on Twitter late on Saturday that Hu’s early departure was related to his health.
“Hu Jintao insisted on attending the closing session of the party’s 20th national congress, despite the fact that he has been taking time to recuperate recently,” the reporter wrote.
“When he was not feeling well during the session, his staff, for his health, accompanied him to a room next to the meeting venue for a rest. Now, he is much better.”
The episode was not reported in Chinese state media but in its evening newscast on Saturday night state broadcaster CCTV included a shot of the former president voting at the closing ceremony before his exit.

Xinhuanet reporter Liu Jiawen has learned that Hu Jintao insisted on attending the closing session of the Party's 20th National Congress, despite the fact that he has been taking time to recuperate recently.
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) October 22, 2022

Hu’s exit was a break from the otherwise scripted event, in which President Xi Jinping was officially reappointed as party secretary for an unprecedented third term and the 2,000-plus delegates unanimously approved work reports.
A list of the 205 members of the new Central Committee – who will elect the party’s top decision-making body, the Politburo – was also released.
The five-yearly congress is the prelude to Sunday’s announcement of the seven people who will sit on the Politburo Standing Committee, the core team that Xi will have for his next five years in power.


In a sign of stepped-up preparations, the once-a-day Covid tests for members of the media have been increased to two a day since Friday.
But the centre of attention at around 11am on Saturday, when journalists were let into the main auditorium, was the 79-year-old frail-looking Hu, seated between Xi and Politburo Standing Committee member Li Zhanshu on the front row of the presidium.
According to footage by Agence France-Presse, Hu was approached by two staff who came to escort him from his seat.
What Xi Jinping’s shortened congress work report did not mention
He appeared confused and tried to hold on to the congressional document on the desk that belonged to Xi, as his own documents were handed to the two staff by Li Zhanshu.
Before Hu left, he was seen making a brief verbal gesture to Xi, to which Xi nodded and smiled.
Hu also patted the shoulder of his protégé, Premier Li Keqiang who is set to step down in March.
Vice-Premier Hu Chunhua, another Hu protégé, appeared unfazed as the former president walked past him. Hu’s surprising exit left an empty seat next to Xi as the event proceeded.


Hu’s frail appearance was a contrast to the vitality shown by party elder Song Ping, who at the age of 105 sat through the event.
As with the congress’s opening ceremony, 83-year-old former vice-president Zeng Qinghong appeared to be attentive to Song.
Former president Jiang Zemin, 96, and former premier Zhu Rongji, 93, were also absent again.
The surprise appearance of Vice-President Wang Qishan also attracted attention as he sat between a relaxed-looking former premier Wen Jiabao and Zhao Leji, who is expected to serve another term on the Standing Committee.
Wang, who returned from Kazakhstan on October 13, missed the opening ceremony last Sunday, apparently due to quarantine restrictions for overseas arrivals.
Wang Huning, China’s ideology tsar, who is tipped for another five years on the Standing Committee and to become chairman of the National People’s Congress, was spotted looking at Xi a few times while Beijing party boss Cai Qi took notes from the start to finish.
Li Keqiang and Wang Yang, the two Standing Committee members who are set to retire, sat back in their chairs.


China’s anti-corruption drive by the numbers

Producing 15th five-year plan

How Xi Jinping and China’s Communist Party’s inner circles are all connected - 2023 update

China’s 20th Party Congress

Former Chinese president Hu Jintao’s congress exit a break from the Communist Party script

Former Chinese president Hu Jintao leaves his seat next to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang, during the closing ceremony of the congress on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Xi Jinping to tighten grip on power with new rules for top policymaking bodies

The regulation is expected to further elevate Xi Jinping’s status within the Communist Party. Photo: AP

***ONE TIME USE ONLY, PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE RE-USE - OTUO*** Jiang Zemin

Wolves and word choice: outsiders try to decode China’s 20th party congress

Illustration: Brian Wang

The presidium of the 20th national congress of the Communist Party of China meeting in Beijing on Tuesday. From left, Han Zheng, Wang Huning, Li Zhanshu, President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang, Wang Yang and Zhao Leji. Photo: Xinhua via AP

Source: CSIS China Power Project

China’s real estate sector, which is struggling, has accounted for as much as one-third of the nation’s economy. Photo: AFP

Congress delegates embrace Communist Party slogan pledging support for Xi Jinping

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech at the opening of the party congress on Sunday. Photo: Xinhua via AP

Wang Yang (centre) addresses delegates from the Tibet autonomous region on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

China’s ideology tsar Wang Huning tipped to head the National People’s Congress

Wang Huning is tipped to rise up the ranks to be NPC chairman. Photo: AFP

News

China

Politics

The reason for Hu’s departure from the closing ceremony is unclear and prompted widespread discussion online
The rest of the two-hour event went much as expected with the unveiling of the new Central Committee


The reason for Hu’s departure from the closing ceremony is unclear and prompted widespread discussion online.


Xi Jinping

China’s Communist Party

Hu Jintao

Zhao Leji