Is Hu Jintao Critically Ill? Rumors Questioned as Hu Haifeng Appears in Xinjiang, Not at 301 Hospital

The 10th National Conference on Paired Assistance to Xinjiang was held in Hotan, Xinjiang, from July 7 to 9. Hu Haifeng was seen at the venue. (Video screenshot)

[People News] On June 30, some independent media figures reported that former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Hu Jintao was critically ill, claiming that his son, Hu Haifeng, had been specially permitted to accompany him at the 301 Military Hospital every day. However, according to a Xinhua News report on July 9, the 10th National Conference on Paired Assistance to Xinjiang was held from July 7 to 9 in Hotan, Xinjiang — and Hu Haifeng was clearly seen at the venue. This raises questions: If Hu Jintao were truly critically ill, why would Hu Haifeng travel all the way to Xinjiang?

According to state media, the 10th National Conference on Paired Assistance to Xinjiang was held in Hotan from July 7 to 9. The meeting was chaired by United Front Work Department Minister Li Ganjie, who also delivered the concluding speech. Politburo Standing Committee member and CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning also attended and gave remarks.

Although Hu Haifeng’s name was not listed in the official Xinhua press release’s attendee list, CCTV news on July 9 showed him present at the venue. The footage showed Hu Haifeng looking down and attentively reading a document. The camera lingered on him for just three seconds, but he appeared calm and composed, not displaying any signs that his father was in critical condition.

Analysts point out that if Hu Jintao were truly on his deathbed, it would be unlikely for Hu Haifeng to travel to Xinjiang for a meeting. Was the CCTV footage intentionally focused on Hu Haifeng to dispel the rumours?

On June 30, the CCP Politburo held a meeting to review the “Working Regulations for Central Committee Decision-Making and Coordination Mechanisms.” Some analysts interpreted this as a sign of Xi Jinping delegating power and the return of Party elders to the core of decision-making.

The blogger "Old Deng" claimed on social media that he obtained a list of members of the Central Committee Decision-Making Coordination Mechanism. The list included 12 people: Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, Li Ruihuan, Zeng Qinghong, Wang Yang, Zhang Youxia, Hu Chunhua, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Ding Xuexiang, Zhao Leji, and Chen Jining. Hu Jintao was listed as the convener, with Xi Jinping as the deputy convener, and Ma Xingrui as the office director.

Some analysts believe that because Hu Jintao was listed as the lead figure, rumours of his critical illness were deliberately circulated to discredit the list — and perhaps to cast doubt on the return of Party elders to influence.

On June 30, an influencer on X (formerly Twitter) alleged that “Hu Jintao is critically ill; Hu Jintao’s daughter-in-law (Hu Haifeng’s wife) and grandson flew from Shanghai to Beijing by private jet today.”

The post claimed that Hu Jintao was conscious for about two hours each morning and sometimes for an hour in the afternoon. His son, Hu Haifeng, it was said, had been granted permission by the CCP to visit him daily at the 301 Hospital, waiting for his periods of consciousness and returning after work every evening.

Another post on July 6 claimed that Cai Qi, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CCP Central Committee, visited Hu Jintao on behalf of Party leader Xi Jinping.

A further rumour claimed that on July 8, traffic on Chang’an Avenue in Beijing was restricted — allegedly to allow elderly officials from various departments, agencies, and retired cadres' residences to visit Hu Jintao, who was said to be on the verge of death. Reportedly, he had been given a final injection of neural stem cells the previous day, after which treatment was stopped.

Independent commentator Cai Shenkun stated on his July 4 program that he had no confirmed information about Hu Jintao being critically ill.

Cai speculated that, based on Hu Jintao’s physical condition during his public appearances since retirement, he may suffer from serious Parkinson’s disease or symptoms of dementia. He added that when it comes to former top-ranking CCP leaders, especially those at the national level, China’s elite medical care means they can be kept alive indefinitely as long as life support is maintained.

(First published by People News)