[China Xi Jinping 3rd Term] Surprised by Hu Jintao's Exit, US: "Who Would Say No?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] "Who can now say ‘No’ to him?"

The scene that major foreign media focused on the most at the closing ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Party Congress), which confirmed Xi Jinping's third term as Chinese President, was the sudden mid-ceremony departure of former President Hu Jintao. It was analyzed as a symbolic purge revealing Xi's 'absolute power.'

On the 23rd (local time), the U.S. political media outlet Politico described the Party Congress closing ceremony held the previous day in Beijing as a "highly orchestrated meeting," reporting, "The most dramatic scene was former President Hu being escorted out by aides. This appears to be an organized ‘symbolic purge’ to demonstrate that Xi Jinping has secured complete power."

The influential U.S. media outlet The New York Times (NYT) also reported, "China’s leader (Xi Jinping) now wields immense power. Who can say no to him?" The outlet defined the seven newly announced Politburo Standing Committee members the day after the closing ceremony as "Xi Jinping’s acolytes." It further analyzed that by placing his closest loyalists in the top leadership, Xi revealed ambitions to accelerate China’s rise as a military and technological superpower while maintaining the Communist Party’s absolute control.

Bloomberg News expressed concern, stating, "No one in China would dare to say Xi Jinping is wrong," and warned that "Xi’s complete control over China will bring more risks to the world." It diagnosed that with the ousting of the princelings (Taizidang, the group of revolutionary elders’ descendants) centered around former Presidents Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao, and the Communist Youth League faction, Xi’s personal power could be strengthened. Professor Ian Chong of the National University of Singapore predicted that this could heighten tensions between China and other major powers.

CNN assessed that the large-scale reshuffle of the Standing Committee eliminated any ‘mediators.’ Citing experts, it stated, "Xi Jinping has entered a new era where he controls almost every aspect of policy and decision-making," expressing concern that this will affect China’s future economic and diplomatic policy trajectories.

In a separate article, CNN also described former President Hu’s unexpected departure as a "dramatic moment," noting that Hu appeared reluctant to leave. It pointed out that no Chinese media outlet reported on this. The conservative Fox News also analyzed "why the world should be worried about Xi Jinping," repeatedly showing footage of Hu’s departure dozens of times.

Earlier, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency stated on its English Twitter account the previous night that "former President Hu was feeling unwell during the closing ceremony, so aides took him to a room beside the venue to rest." However, major foreign media have expressed skepticism about Xinhua’s report. The Associated Press (AP) pointed out, "The Chinese Party Congress is a fully scripted event," adding, "Therefore, many questions arise about Hu’s departure. The truth will never be known."