China appoints son of ex-president Hu Jintao to ministerial role

BEIJING – The son of former Chinese leader Hu Jintao, who was dramatically escorted out of a major political meeting in 2022, has been appointed to a senior ministerial position, the government said on Jan 16.

Mr Hu Haifeng has been named vice-head of China’s Human Resources and Social Security Ministry, according to a statement on the department’s website. It did not provide further details.

Mr Hu, 51, is the son of former president Hu Jintao, who ruled as China’s paramount leader for a decade before his successor, Mr Xi Jinping, rose to power in 2012.

Mr Hu Jintao was at the centre of a political firestorm that erupted at a key Communist Party congress in October 2022 as Mr Xi broke precedent to secure a third term in office.

The frail former leader

was abruptly led off-stage at the event’s closing ceremony

, seemingly against his will and to the shock of the assembled global media.

Officials later said he was

experiencing an episode of poor health

, but the move sparked speculation that he had been purged on Mr Xi’s orders.

Mr Hu Haifeng has held a string of mid-level official posts in his career to date, most recently serving as party committee secretary in the eastern city of Lishui, according to his official biography. AFP