Chinese Former President Hu Jintao Made Public Appearance at Congress

Former Chinese President Hu Jintao appeared in public this week for the first time since October. Then, at the Communist Party Congress, the 79-year-old was ushered off the podium by two hall stewards.

The unusual scene disrupted the otherwise perfectly choreographed closing ceremony. On Monday, Hu attended the funeral of former president Jiang Zemin, according to images from state broadcaster CCTV.

At the side of President Xi Jinping, Jintao paid a final tribute to Jiang. The images show how an assistant supports him. Hu is not really seen as a supporter of the current party leader. He belongs to the Communist Youth League camp in the party, which Xi weakened. In 2012, Hu handed over the post of secretary-general to Xi after serving two terms.

Hu stands for the old “collective” leadership model with representatives from different factions and with age and term limits, which the 69-year-old Xi now wants to override in his third term.