Exclusive: What happened before former Chinese President Hu Jintao was escorted out of Congress?

Speculation has been swirling since former Chinese President Hu Jintao was escorted out from the closing session of China’s twice a decade Communist Party’s Congress on Saturday (Oct 22), which saw Mr Hu's successor, Xi Jinping secure an unprecedented third term at the helm.

CNA’s cameras captured the moments just prior to Mr Hu's departure, which took place soon after local and foreign media were allowed to enter the auditorium to cover proceedings around 11.15am. It came shortly after Chinese state media announced that delegates had elected a new Central Committee and Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which media were not allowed into the hall to witness.

Following Mr Hu’s departure, proceedings continued with delegates voting on other items on the agenda including an amendment to the party’s constitution. Addressing the incident later that night, Chinese state media attributed the incident to health reasons. In a tweet written in English, Xinhua said that Mr Hu was “not feeling well” during the session and for his health, staff had accompanied to a room next to the meeting venue “for a rest”. Mr Hu's name was censored from Chinese social media.

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[ricogutz]

Former president Hu Jintao was responsible for the economic growth of China and friendly relations with other countries. He practised collective leadership and concensus-based rule. Hu Jintao was known for technocratic competence rather than persona. Unlike Xi Jinping, he voluntarily retired from all his positions after his second term and earned praises for it. The two are worlds apart.

[hw]

Thank you CNA for helping Chinese people to document this piece of history ! Well done

[albertteng]

Rest of the guys were like "i heard nothing, i saw nothing, i know nothing, i just want to live" Li Keqiang was like "What am i even doing here?"

[Django]

Chilling; absolutely chilling. When so little says so much.

[BOGOWA]

The former president Hu appeared reluctant to leave; that part is pretty clear regardless the context.

[lonsolchang]

Very shocking. In addition, they call this a meeting but notice the only guy with microphones is the guy in the center.

[michael_jjy]

Thank you CNA, the history will remember everything, one day this documentary piece will become one of many evidences.

[HappyKangaro]

Hu was the gentleman who rules 10 years and stepped down with dignity in 2012. He is the one who shaped good China. No loan traps just development and global business he did.

[frankcherry]

Seems like everyone in the front row knows what is coming

[JK-qvwm]

There 3 levels of power been displayed here: the guys who has a seat in the hall, the guys who not need to wear a mask, and the only guy who has mics before him.

[ChinchillaBONK]

XJP's face be like : you guys know I can hear you right?

[robertx.]

Great respect got CNA for recording and sharing this video

[champwhatsapp]

I don't know what is going on here but the old man deserve respect

[yrugeh]

1:26 they cut the little part when they try to force to lift him and he resisted.

[alterhit]

If the guy was sick, people would have been looking concerned and asking how he was. Everyone was looking straight ahead, because they knew some bad stuff was going down and preferred not to say anything or it would happen to them too.

[jackcoleman]

The spirit of Levrenty Beria has returned 70 years later.
Next month’s news: Hu Jintao suffered an undisclosed health emergency and passed quietly in his sleep in November 2022. His contributions to the glorious State are appreciated.

[hugefrank]

Please provide an uncut version, people deserves to know the whole truth. Thank you CNA!

[asus]

This is heartbreaking. They shouldve respected an old leader. This is hard to watch if your Mr Hu's family.

[alainsartsandcraftlearning]

As the former president of China, Mr. Hu carries historical weight in the minds of the whole country and represents public opinion. To remove Mr. Hu from the meeting against his personal will is totally unjustifiable in terms of the law, the CCP Party Constitution, the principle of human relations, ethical standards and public opinion.

[snowdog]

Almost everyone pretending nothing was going on. Full of fear.