You almost feel sorry for him: Hu Jintao (79), ex-party leader, sits on the podium next to Xi Jinping (69). The foreign journalists and cameramen have just been let back in. A well-trained man comes to him, talks to him, asks him to leave the chair with him. A second man comes forward and talks to Hu as well.
But Hu Jintao does not want to. Does not understand. fights back He does get up when the man urges him, but when he tries to take him out by the arm, he recoils again. It’s an unreal scene – especially since next to him Xi Jinping looks straight ahead, ignoring him and even looking in the other direction. Prime Minister Li Keqiang (67), who sits to the right of Xi, also stares ahead as if this is none of his business.
I did not feel well”
Finally, Hu Jintao gives in and is led out before the eyes of the world press. The scene was not broadcast in China and Hu Jintao’s name is censored on the Chinese internet. And for the West, there was then a bad explanation from the state news agency on Twitter – blocked in China – that Hu was “not feeling well”. His associates had moved him to an adjoining room and he was better now.
For real?
There are indications that speak against this version. Because it certainly wasn’t his own people who dragged him out of the room.
The “Mirror” reports that the name tag of the second man with the graying hair can be seen in a photo from the AP news agency. It is Kong Shaoxun (53), who reports directly to Xi’s former chief of staff, Ding Xuexiang (60). And the first man to try to pull Hu Jintao out of the chair could be Xi Jinping’s bodyguard — some social media users believe they’ve seen him in photos nearby.
Moreover, if Hu Jintao suddenly feels unwell, why does he not know about it himself? Especially since there is no obvious medical emergency.
Journalists could have waited five minutes
Observers also saw the behavior of the man on the other side of Hu Jintao: Li Zhanshu (72). He seems surprised, clearly wants to intervene and wipes his forehead with his handkerchief. But when he wants to stand up, number five in the party hierarchy, Wang Huning (67), pulls on his jacket. Sit down, he seems to mean. Don’t join. According to “Mirror”, Wang Xi’s main ideologue, he will continue to be represented on the Standing Committee – unlike Li Zhanshu.
Another argument against this is that everything at the People’s Congress is well planned. Down to the last detail. Planning means control. Even the ushers who serve the tea do so synchronously. A ZDF journalist reported that she could have easily waited five minutes longer for the undignified spectacle to take place behind closed doors.
The West will probably never know the true background of the action. Hu Jintao stood for the old management model, for age and term limits. As is well known, Xi Jinping ignored this, secured himself a third term in office, he is the sole ruler – and by humiliating Hu Jintao he may have shown everyone: don’t mess with me. (neo)