And while Beijing's state media later said Hu was escorted out by security due to ill health, the 79-year-old appeared reluctant to leave his seat next to Xi -- leading to speculation his departure was a political power play.State news agency Xinhua said late Saturday that Hu had insisted on attending the session despite being unwell.
Later, a steward attempted to take a sitting Hu by the arm before being shaken off. The steward then tried to lift Hu up with both hands from under the armpits, and he was escorted out as most of his colleagues stared firmly ahead. But others said the unexpected move was meant to send a strong political signal to those in the party that might oppose Xi's coronation.
"Given how carefully choreographed the Party Congress is, it is no coincidence that this was allowed to be seen in front of all party delegates and the media," he said. "The way Hu was basically dragged out of the Great Hall of the People is a way of saying in no ambiguous terms that this new era has no room for anyone affiliated with the Jiang-Hu era," William Sima, a China expert at Australian National University, told AFP, referencing Hu's predecessor Jiang Zemin.Another expert suggested that Hu was removed after expressing his reservations about the current Chinese leader's policy decisions.
Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)