Former Chinese president Hu Jintao unexpectedly leaves Congress closing ceremony

A former Chinese President was mysteriously escorted out of the Communist Party Congress in front of journalists and current leader Xi Jinping.

Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao mysteriously escorted. Picture: Noel Celis / AFP

Former Chinese president Hu Jintao was unexpectedly led out of Saturday’s closing ceremony of the Communist Party Congress, AFP journalists on the scene witnessed.

The frail-looking Hu, 79, initially seemed reluctant to leave the front row of Politburo Standing Committee members in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where he was sitting next to President Xi Jinping.

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China's former president Hu Jintao. Picture: Noel Celis / AFP

Hu initially seemed reluctant to leave the front row of Politburo Standing Committee members in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. Picture: Noel Celis / AFP

China’s President Xi Jinping (right) watches as former president Hu Jintao (Centre) touches the shoulder of Premier Li Keqiang (2nd left) as he leaves the closing ceremony of the 20th Chinese Communist Party’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Picture: Noel Celis / AFP

He had brief exchanges with Xi and Premier Li Keqiang after stewards spoke with him. A steward, holding Hu’s arm, led the former president out.

Hu patted Li’s shoulder as he left. His departure was not explained. Hu, who retired in 2013, appeared at last Sunday’s Congress opening with his hair completely grey.

Early drama: Hu Jintao seen being led out soon after reporters are led into the main hall pic.twitter.com/pRffGZF60I

— Danson Cheong (@dansoncj) October 22, 2022

Former Chinese leader Hu Jintao mysteriously escorted out of the Great Hall of the People ahead of an expected speech by President Xi at the end of the CCP's Party Congress pic.twitter.com/3sCvdMIfhb

— Oliver Hotham (@OliverHotham) October 22, 2022

Xi, 69, is widely expected to be reaffirmed this weekend as the Party’s General Secretary, paving the way for him to gain a norm-breaking third term as Chinese president next March.

The new Central Committee of around 200 senior Party officials was elected shortly after 11am Saturday, state media agency Xinhua reported, without disclosing a full list of members