The son of former Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was escorted out against his will during a major political meeting in 2022, has been appointed to a top ministerial post, the government announced on Tuesday. Hu Haifeng, 51, has been appointed vice minister of civil affairs, according to a statement posted on an official website of China's Ministry of Human Resources.
He is the son of former President Hu Jintao, who was head of state from 2003 to 2013 before being replaced by current leader Xi Jinping. Hu Jintao was the focus of all media attention at the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Congress in October 2022, at which Xi Jinping won an unprecedented third term.
Fragile health
Now 81 years old, Hu Jintao, whose health is known to be fragile, sat on the large central platform alongside Chinese leaders at the closing ceremony of the CCP Congress, in front of the cameras of the Chinese and foreign press. Employees then made him stand up and escorted him out of the main hall, apparently against his will.
Authorities later said he was suffering from a medical condition. But the episode raised speculation that he had been purged on Xi Jinping's orders. Hu Haifeng has so far followed the typical career of a senior Chinese official. His last position was as CCP leader in Lishui, a medium-sized city in the wealthy eastern coastal province of Zhejiang.