Hu Jintao Forcibly Removed at 20th CCP Congress, Kong Shaoxun to Become Gansu Governor

At the closing meeting of the 20th CCP Congress on October 22, 2022, former General Secretary Hu Jintao was forcibly escorted out of the hall by security personnel on the orders of President Xi Jinping; this scene caused a shock worldwide. According to Chinese media, at that moment, Deputy Director of the Central Office and Director of the General Office Kong Shaoxun directly directed the operation. The event was assessed as a symbolic indicator of the tension and balance of power within the Chinese leadership.

Kong Shaoxun is known as one of Xi Jinping's closest advisors and is predicted to be appointed as the Governor of Gansu following this incident. If the appointment materializes, it will further solidify Xi Jinping's position within his inner circle and confirm the shift in intra-party power balances. This situation is being read as a sign of restructuring within the party hierarchy.

Experts argue that Hu Jintao's public removal in this manner could be an open sign of conflict between intra-party factions. Chinese official institutions made no statement regarding the matter. The future official announcement of the Gansu governorship appointment will show whether these interpretations are validated or not.