Hu Jintao facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hu Jintao
胡锦涛
Hu in 2011
General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party
In office 15 November 2002 – 15 November 2012
Preceded by	Jiang Zemin
Succeeded by	Xi Jinping
6th President of China
In office 15 March 2003 – 14 March 2013
Premier	Wen Jiabao
Vice President	Zeng Qinghong (2003–2008) Xi Jinping (2008–2013)
Preceded by	Jiang Zemin
Succeeded by	Xi Jinping
Chairman of the Central Military Commission
In office Party Commission: 19 September 2004 – 15 November 2012 State Commission: 13 March 2005 – 14 March 2013
Deputy	Xi Jinping Guo Boxiong Xu Caihou Cao Gangchuan
Preceded by	Jiang Zemin
Succeeded by	Xi Jinping
Other office held First-ranked Secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party In office 19 October 1992 – 15 November 2002 General Secretary Jiang Zemin Preceded by Qiao Shi Succeeded by Zeng Qinghong Vice President of China In office 15 March 1998 – 15 March 2003 President Jiang Zemin Preceded by Rong Yiren Succeeded by Zeng Qinghong Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission In office Party Commission: 22 September 1999 – 19 September 2004 State Commission: 31 October 1999 – 13 March 2005 Chairman Jiang Zemin Communist Party Secretary of Tibet In office 1 December 1988 – 1 December 1992 General Secretary Zhao Ziyang Jiang Zemin Preceded by Wu Jinghua Succeeded by Chen Kuiyuan Communist Party Secretary of Guizhou In office 8 July 1985 – 1 December 1988 General Secretary Hu Yaobang Zhao Ziyang Preceded by Zhu Houze Succeeded by Liu Zhengwei First Secretary of the Communist Youth League of China In office 14 December 1984 – 8 July 1985 General Secretary Hu Yaobang Preceded by Wang Zhaoguo Succeeded by Song Defu
Personal details
Born	(1942-12-21) 21 December 1942 (age 82) Taizhou, Jiangsu, Wang Jingwei regime
Political party	Communist Party of China
Spouse	Liu Yongqing
Alma mater	Tsinghua University (BS)
Profession	Hydraulic engineer
Signature
Central institution membership 1992–2012: 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th Politburo Standing Committee 1992–2002: Secretary (first-ranked), 14th, 15th, Central Secretariat 1992–2012: 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th Politburo 1985–2012: 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th Central Committee 1982–1985: 12th Alternate Membership of the Central Committee 1988–2013: 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th National People's Congress Other offices held 1999–2005: Vice Chairman, State Central Military Commission 1999–2004: Vice Chairman, Party Central Military Commission 1998–2003: Vice President of China 1993–2002: President, Central Party School 1988–1992: Party Committee Secretary, Tibet Autonomous Region 1985–1988: Party Committee Secretary, Guizhou province 1983–1985: First Secretary, Communist Youth League 1983–1985: President, All-China Youth Federation Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China ← Jiang Zemin Xi Jinping →

Hu Jintao
"Hu Jintao" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese	胡锦涛
Traditional Chinese	胡錦濤
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Hú Jǐntāo Hú Jǐntáo Bopomofo ㄏㄨˊ   ㄐㄧㄣˇ   ㄊㄠ ㄏㄨˊ   ㄐㄧㄣˇ   ㄊㄠˊ Wade–Giles Hu2 Chin3-tʻao1 Hu2 Chin3-tʻao2 Tongyong Pinyin Hú Jǐn-tao Hú Jǐn-táo IPA [xǔ tɕìn.tʰáu̯] Hakka Romanization Fù Kím-thàu Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Wùh Gám-tòuh IPA [wȕː kɐ̌m tʰȍu] Jyutping wu4 gam2 tou4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Ô͘ Gím-tô Tâi-lô Ôo Gím-tô Eastern Min Fuzhou BUC Hù Gīng-dò̤

Hu Jintao (born 21 December 1942) is a Chinese politician who used to be a very important leader. He was the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 2002 to 2012. He also served as the President of China from 2003 to 2013.

Hu Jintao was also in charge of China's military from 2004 to 2012. He was a member of the top decision-making group, the CCP Politburo Standing Committee. He was considered the fifth paramount leader of China.

He became powerful within the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He led the party in Guizhou province and the Tibet Autonomous Region. Important older leaders like Deng Xiaoping helped him rise quickly.

During his time as leader, Hu Jintao brought back some government control over the economy. He also focused on making society more fair for everyone. This idea was called the "Harmonious Socialist Society". Under his leadership, China's economy grew a lot. This made China a major world power.

Hu Jintao was known for being a calm and quiet leader. He believed in leaders working together to make decisions. After ten years, he stepped down from all his roles. This was seen as a good example for other leaders. Xi Jinping took over from him.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in China

Hu's birthplace, Jiangyan, Jiangsu

Hu Jintao was born on 21 December 1942. His hometown was Tai County in Jiangsu province. At that time, the area was under Japanese control. His family was not rich. His father had a small business selling tea.

Hu's mother was a teacher. She passed away when he was only seven years old. An aunt then raised him. Later, during the Cultural Revolution, his father faced unfair accusations. This event deeply affected young Hu. He worked hard to clear his father's name.

Becoming an Engineer

Hu Jintao joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in April 1964. He studied at Tsinghua University, focusing on hydropower stations. After graduating in 1964, he worked as a political advisor at the university. In July 1965, he started his career as an engineer.

In 1968, Hu volunteered to work in Gansu province. He helped build the Liujiaxia Dam, a large hydroelectric power station. He also managed party matters for the local water and power department. From 1969 to 1974, he worked for an engineering company called Sinohydro.

Family Life

In 1970, Hu Jintao married Liu Yongqing. They had met while studying at Tsinghua University. They have two children, a son named Hu Haifeng and a daughter named Hu Haiqing. Hu Jintao is known for being a private person. He never gave a public interview to the media. He enjoys table tennis and ballroom dancing. People say he has a very good memory.

Early Political Career

Rising Through the Ranks

In 1973, Hu Jintao moved to the Construction Department of Gansu. He started as a secretary. The next year, he was promoted to a higher party position. In 1980, China's leader Deng Xiaoping started a program. It aimed to find younger, more educated, and skilled communist leaders.

Song Ping, a top leader in Gansu, noticed Hu Jintao. He promoted Hu several times. Another future important leader, Wen Jiabao, also rose at this time. In 1982, Hu became the head of the Communist Youth League in Gansu. He also led the All-China Youth Federation.

His mentor, Song Ping, moved to Beijing. He became the Minister of Organization for the CCP. This job involved recommending and promoting senior officials. With support from Song Ping, Hu Yaobang, and Deng Xiaoping, Hu Jintao's future in the party looked bright.

Leading the Youth League

In 1982, Hu Jintao was invited to Beijing to study. He joined the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party. Soon after, he moved to Beijing. He was given a role in the central committee of the Communist Youth League of China. Two years later, he became the top leader of the Youth League.

During his time in the Youth League, Hu Jintao traveled with Hu Yaobang. Hu Yaobang was the CCP general secretary then. Hu Yaobang had also started his career in the Youth League. He enjoyed Hu Jintao's company.

Leading in Guizhou

In 1985, Hu Yaobang helped Hu Jintao move to Guizhou province. Hu became the top party leader there. Guizhou was a poor province. Hu tried to improve its economy. He reportedly visited all 86 counties in the province.

While in Guizhou, Hu was careful to follow directions from Beijing. He rarely shared his own opinions on policies in public. He was seen as an honest and fair official. In 1987, students protested in Guizhou. Hu Jintao handled these protests carefully. In Beijing, similar protests led to Hu Yaobang losing his job.

Time in Tibet

In 1988, Hu Jintao was moved to the Tibet Autonomous Region. He became the top party leader there. He also took on a role in the local military units. This made him the most powerful person in Tibet. Many Tibetans had long been unhappy with government policies. There were growing tensions and protests.

In February 1989, Hu sent police into Lhasa to prevent more trouble. But on 5 March 1989, serious riots broke out. Hu asked Beijing to declare martial law on 8 March. His actions in Tibet gained him attention from top leaders, including Deng Xiaoping. Hu was one of the first regional leaders to support the central government's actions during the Tiananmen Square events later that year.

In June 1990, Hu became ill due to the high altitude. He returned to Beijing. He stayed in his position for two more years. Some people thought his illness was a reason to return to central politics.

Rise to National Power

Hu Jintao during a defense meeting held at the Pentagon, May 2002

Before a big meeting of the CCP in 1992, senior leaders chose new members for the CCP Politburo Standing Committee (PSC). This was to ensure a smooth change of power. Deng Xiaoping wanted someone under 50 to represent the next generation of leaders.

Song Ping suggested Hu Jintao as a good choice. So, just before his 50th birthday, Hu Jintao became the youngest member of the seven-person Politburo Standing Committee. He was one of the youngest PSC members since the Communist Party took power in 1949.

In 1992, Hu became the first secretary of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party. This group managed the daily work of the CCP Central Committee. He also took charge of the Central Party School. This allowed him to train his own supporters among party officials. Hu was also responsible for the CCP's ideas and beliefs.

Even though Hu was expected to take over from Jiang Zemin, he always made sure Jiang was the main focus. In 1998, Hu helped promote Jiang's "Three Stresses" idea. In 2001, he helped share Jiang's "Three Represents" theory. In 1998, Hu became vice president. Jiang wanted him to play a bigger role in international affairs. Hu became China's main voice during the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999.

Hu Jintao's Leadership

Taking Over from Jiang Zemin

Hu speaks as General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China

On 15 November 2002, Hu Jintao became the general secretary of the CCP. This made him the most powerful leader in China. Wen Jiabao became the premier, or head of government. However, Jiang Zemin remained the head of the military until September 2004. After Jiang stepped down, Hu officially held the three most important positions in China: head of the party, head of the state, and head of the military.

Hu Jintao was generally careful with political changes during his time as leader. In 2006, he started the "Eight Honors and Eight Shames" campaign. This aimed to encourage good morals among people. In 2007, Hu was re-elected as general secretary. In 2008, he was re-elected as president.

Domestic Policies in China

Handling the SARS Crisis

The first big challenge for Hu's leadership was the 2002–2004 SARS outbreak in 2003. China was criticized for not sharing information quickly. Hu removed several officials, including the health minister.

Economic Changes

Hu talks with U.S. President Barack Obama at the 2009 G20 Pittsburgh summit

Hu with U.S. President George W. Bush and former U.S. president George H. W. Bush in Beijing, 10 August 2008

Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao took a more careful approach to economic changes. They started to reverse some earlier reforms in 2005. The government increased support for healthcare and education. They also stopped some privatization efforts.

The government invested a lot in state-owned companies. These companies grew and could compete with large foreign businesses. China's economy grew by about 10% each year under Hu. China's economy became larger than the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan.

Hu and Wen wanted to create a "Harmonious Society". This meant reducing the gap between rich and poor. They visited poorer areas of China to understand their needs. They also tried to balance economic growth with social fairness and protecting the environment.

Media Control

Hu Jintao talked about "channeling" public opinion. This means guiding what people think and say, especially online. He said the party should "control online discussions" and "increase positive coverage." He wanted to use new technologies to promote a positive message.

Tibet and Hong Kong

There were protests in Tibet in 2008. Hu's government also faced protests in Hong Kong.

Protests against Hu in Hong Kong, July 2012

Foreign Policy and Global Relations

Hu with the leaders of the BRICS countries (from left, Singh, Medvedev, Rousseff and Zuma) in April 2011

Hu at a 2011 luncheon with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Hu with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the 2008 G8 Summit, in Sapporo, Japan

Protests against Hu during his 2011 U.S. visit

Under Hu's leadership, China continued its approach of "peaceful development." This meant showing the world that China's growth was good for everyone, not a threat. Hu said China would help with global issues. But it would also protect its own important interests.

In 2009, Hu Jintao called for stronger arms control at the United Nations. He supported the idea of a world free of nuclear weapons. China's cooperation with developing countries in Africa and Latin America grew a lot during his time. He also worked to improve China's relationship with Japan.

Relations with Taiwan

When Hu became leader, Taiwan had a president, Chen Shui-bian, who wanted Taiwan to be fully independent. Hu's government used both "soft" and "hard" approaches. He offered to talk about some issues. But he also said China would not allow Taiwan to declare full independence. In 2005, China passed a law. It said China could use "non-peaceful means" if Taiwan declared independence.

Hu's government also increased contact with the Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan. This party was China's old rival. In 2005, Hu met with KMT chairman Lien Chan. This was the first meeting between the leaders of the two parties since World War II.

In 2008, the KMT won the presidency in Taiwan. Hu then took a softer approach. Relations between China and Taiwan began to improve. They agreed to restart official talks. They also agreed that there is "only one China," but they could disagree on what that means. Trade and travel between China and Taiwan increased greatly. They signed a trade agreement in 2010.

Transition to Xi Jinping

On 15 November 2012, Xi Jinping took over from Hu Jintao. Xi became the general secretary of the CCP and head of the military. On 14 March 2013, Xi also became the president of China.

After Retirement

Since retiring, Hu Jintao has mostly stayed out of the public eye. He rarely makes public appearances. In 2013, he visited his family's ancestral home. He also attended important party meetings in 2017 and 2019. In July 2021, he attended the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party.

20th Communist Party Congress Incident

At the end of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party on 22 October 2022, Hu Jintao was sitting next to Xi Jinping. He was then escorted out of the hall by two men. This happened before important votes were taken. China's official news agency said Hu was not feeling well. Other news sources wondered if it was a political message. The event was not shown in China.

Attending Jiang Zemin's Funeral

After his predecessor Jiang Zemin passed away, Hu Jintao was part of the funeral committee. On 5 December 2022, Hu Jintao appeared in public with Xi Jinping. He attended the farewell ceremony for Jiang's body.

Hu Jintao's Legacy

Hu Jintao's time as leader saw China's economy grow steadily. He guided China through the global financial crisis very well. China's standing in the world also grew a lot. Under Hu, China improved its roads and buildings. It also launched its first crewed space mission. China hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

Hu's approach to Taiwan also improved relations. Trade and contact between China and Taiwan increased a lot. Hu and Premier Wen Jiabao introduced policies that helped ordinary people. They removed taxes for farmers. They also made policies more flexible for migrant workers. They focused on fair development and affordable housing. The government's handling of the SARS crisis and expanded health insurance were praised. These policies were generally popular with the Chinese public.

Some critics say Hu's government was too aggressive in foreign policy. They say it upset some neighboring countries and the United States. Others point to problems within China. For example, the gap between rich and poor grew. The government's spending on internal security also increased. This showed that protests continued across the country. Some economists believe Hu missed a chance to make big economic changes.

Hu's efforts to fight corruption had mixed results. While some steps were taken, deep-rooted problems remained. There was a big corruption scandal in the military after he left office. This showed he could not fully control powerful groups. Hu himself warned about the dangers of unchecked corruption.

His government also faced criticism for controlling information and limiting freedom of speech. Artists and writers felt more restricted. In his early years, Hu tried to bring more "democracy within the party." This meant allowing lower-ranked members more say. But there were few big changes to how the party made decisions.

Hu's leadership was known for making decisions together. He was not a single strong leader. He worked with his Politburo Standing Committee colleagues. Some people called it "nine dragons taming the water." This meant nine leaders each had their own area of power. Hu also faced influence from former leader Jiang Zemin. Despite this, Hu was seen as good at bringing people together. He was praised for stepping down from all his roles. This set an example for future leaders.

Political Ideas

Scientific Outlook on Development

Hu Jintao's political ideas are summed up by three main phrases. Domestically, he aimed for a "Harmonious Socialist Society." Internationally, he promoted "Peaceful Development." Both ideas were supported by the Scientific Development Concept. This concept looks for solutions to economic, environmental, and social problems. It also suggests a need for careful political changes.

The Scientific Outlook on Development became part of the CCP and State Constitutions. The role of the Party changed under Hu. It moved from being a revolutionary party to a ruling party. Hu wanted the party to be more modern and open. He even canceled some traditional lavish ceremonies for leaders.

Hu's ideas aimed for a country with strong economic growth. It would have a free market with private businesses. But it would also have strong government control over politics and media. People would have personal freedoms, but not political ones. The government would care for all citizens. Hu believed this would lead to a "Harmonious Socialist Society." He said such a society would allow people to use their talents. It would also share wealth and bring people closer to the government.

Western critics often focused on human rights under Hu. But his ideas also showed a new commitment to solving China's many social problems. Hu's main goals were to keep society stable for economic growth. He also wanted to protect Chinese culture and national independence. His government also focused on problems like the gap between rich and poor. They also looked at the uneven development between different regions. The party and state started to think about social equality and environmental effects, not just economic growth.

In June 2007, Hu gave an important speech. He spoke in a way that appealed to ordinary Chinese people. He talked about the challenges China faced, especially income differences. He also mentioned the need for "increased democracy" in the country.

Moral Guidance for Citizens

In March 2006, Hu Jintao introduced the "Eight Honors and Eight Shames." This was a set of moral rules for Chinese people to follow. He stressed the importance of teaching these rules to young people. It listed eight things that a good citizen should see as honorable and eight things as shameful.

This was seen as Hu Jintao's way to deal with a perceived lack of morals in China. After economic reforms, many Chinese focused only on making money. The "Eight Honors and Eight Shames" was different from past leaders' ideas. It focused on moral standards, not just economic goals. These rules were promoted everywhere. You could see them on classroom posters, street banners, and electronic signs.

Awards and Honors

• Colombia:
  • Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (21 January 1997)
• Cuba:
  • Member of the Order of José Martí (23 November 2004)
• Jordan:
  • Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Renaissance (14 January 2001)
• Madagascar:
  • Grand Cordon of the National Order of Madagascar (25 January 1999)
• Pakistan:
  • Recipient of the Nishan-e-Pakistan (24 November 2006)
• Peru:
  • Grand Cross of Order of the Sun of Peru (19 November 2008)
• Turkmenistan:
  • Member of the Order of Saparmyrat Türkmenbaşy the Great (29 August 2008)
• Ukraine:
  • Member 1st Class of the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise (31 August 2010)

See also

In Spanish: Hu Jintao para niños

• History of the People's Republic of China (2002–present)