Hu Chunhua
Hu Chunhua(Chinese:Hồ xuân hoa;born April 1963) is a Chinese politician. He currently serves asVice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conferencesince 2023. From 2018 to 2023, he served asVice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China.[1][2]
Hu Chunhua | |||||||
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Hồ xuân hoa | |||||||
![]() Hu in 2019 | |||||||
Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference | |||||||
Assumed office 10 March 2023 | |||||||
Chairman | Wang Huning | ||||||
Vice Premier of China | |||||||
In office 19 March 2018 – 12 March 2023 | |||||||
Premier | Li Keqiang | ||||||
Communist Party Secretary of Guangdong | |||||||
In office 18 December 2012 – 28 October 2017 | |||||||
Deputy | Zhu Xiaodan(Governor) Ma Xingrui(Governor) | ||||||
General secretary | Xi Jinping | ||||||
Preceded by | Wang Yang | ||||||
Succeeded by | Li Xi | ||||||
Communist Party Secretary of Inner Mongolia | |||||||
In office 30 November 2009 – 18 December 2012 | |||||||
Deputy | Bagatur(Government Chairman) | ||||||
General secretary | Hu Jintao | ||||||
Preceded by | Chu Bo | ||||||
Succeeded by | Wang Jun | ||||||
Governor of Hebei | |||||||
In office April 2008 – November 2009 | |||||||
Preceded by | Guo Gengmao | ||||||
Succeeded by | Chen Quanguo | ||||||
First Secretary of theCommunist Youth League of China | |||||||
In office November 2006 – April 2008 | |||||||
Preceded by | Zhou Qiang | ||||||
Succeeded by | Lu Hao | ||||||
Personal details | |||||||
Born | Wufeng County,Hubei,China | April 23, 1963||||||
Political party | Chinese Communist Party(1983–present) | ||||||
Alma mater | Peking University | ||||||
Chinese name | |||||||
Simplified Chinese | Hồ xuân hoa | ||||||
Traditional Chinese | Hồ xuân hoa | ||||||
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Born inYichang,Hubei,Hu first entered politics by working as a cadre of theCommunist Youth Leaguein theTibet Autonomous Region.After serving various roles in Tibet, he rose through the ranks of the Communist Youth League, eventually returning to Beijing and becoming its first secretary in 2006. In 2008, he was appointed as the governor ofHebei.He was reassigned to the post ofChinese Communist Party(CCP)committee secretaryof Inner Mongolia in 2009, a post he held until 2012.
In 2012, he became the CCP secretary of Guangdong, as well as a member of theCCP Politburo.During his time in Guangdong lasting until 2017, Hu launched anti-corruption campaigns and earned reputation as a low-key leader. Hu became avice premier of Chinain 2018, a post he served until 2023. He left the Politburo in 2022, after the20th CCP National Congress,though he kept his membership to theCCP Central Committee.In March 2023, he became a vice chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. Hu is popularly known as "Heir apparentofTuanpai"due to the similarities of his career with that of formerCCP general secretaryHu JintaoandLi Keqiang.
Early life and education
[edit]Hu was born into a family of farmers inWufeng County,Yichang,Hubeiprovince in 1963. In 1979, he ranked first in the county for theGaokaoexamination. At age 16, he was the youngest in his class.[3]He received his B.A. degree fromPeking Universityin August 1983, majoring inChinese languageand literature.[citation needed]AtPeking Universityhe was friends withLi Keqiang,who was also attending Peking University at the time.[citation needed]
Political career
[edit]Tibet, Hebei, and Youth League
[edit]After graduation, he went to work in Tibet, starting as a cadre in the Organization Department of theCommunist Youth League.Hu subsequently held various government and Youth League positions in Tibet, ultimately serving asdeputy secretaryof the CCP Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee from November 2003 to November 2006 and vice chairman of the Tibet Autonomous Regional Government from November 2003 to November 2005. In Tibet, Hu played an instrumental role in developing the Tibetan economy, curbing the independence movement, and the settlement of more Han Chinese into region.[4]
From 1997 to 2001 Hu served in the Secretariat of the Communist Youth League and as a Vice Chairman of theAll-China Youth Federation.He returned to Beijing to become the First Secretary of the Communist Youth League from December 2006 to March 2008. At the17th Party Congressin the fall of 2007, Hu Chunhua became a member of theCentral Committee.On April 15, 2008, he was appointed as the actingGovernor of Hebei,China's youngest.[5]On January 12, 2009, he was officially elected Governor.[6][7]In Hebei, Hu had the reputation of working 'non-stop', visiting all of the province's 11 prefecture-level cities within a few months.[3]While serving in Hebei, Hu came into the limelight during the2008 Chinese milk scandal,which had roots in Hebei province. He came out of the incident unscathed, some say as a result of his closeness to CCP general secretaryHu Jintao.[4]He also took part in the security preparations of the2008 Summer Olympicsin Beijing, and advocated increasing domesticconsumptionin response to the globalfinancial crisis of 2007–08.[3]
Inner Mongolia
[edit]In November 2009, he was appointed Regional Party Secretary ofInner Mongolia.[8]He was also elected Chairman of the Inner Mongolia People's Congress in January 2010.[8]Not long after he took charge of the vast northern region, Hu embarked on a plan to rebalance growth in the region. Under Hu's predecessorChu Bo,Inner Mongolia saw explosive GDP growth that was the result of developing natural resources. The region's GDP growth ranked highest amongst province-level entities in the country for eight consecutive years. However, the growth opened a largewealth gap,with endemic profiteering from local officials, and a divide between the resource-rich western part of the region (Hohhot,Baotou,andOrdos) and the stagnant industrial-based eastern part (Chifeng,Tongliao,Hulunbuir).
In response, Hu remarked that Inner Mongolia will no longer aspire to be ranked first in GDP growth, but rather focus on sustaining the "quality" and "efficiency" of growth.[9]Hu believed that dogmatically pursuing a mere increase in economic output did not benefit everyone in the region, particularly farmers and nomadic herders, pointing out that the large mining projects had brought significant wealth which did not trickle down to the grassroots. He stressed that one of the priorities of his administration would be assuring equitable policies in the relocation, employment and social welfare of nomadic peoples.[9]Hu also sought to reform tax policy to give more bargaining power to local government and local interests in assessing potential mining projects by large state-owned natural resource companies. These companies were known for running roughshod over local officials that were desperate to attract investment to boost their own GDP numbers.[9]In urban development, Hu stressed the importance of subsidized housing.[9]
Grievances over the intrusion of mining companies, mixed with ethnic tensions between Mongolian and Han Chinese people in the region, had caused friction for years between the government and the rural populations. It came to a boil in May 2011, when a Mongolian herder's death led toethnic Mongolian protestsinXilinhotand unrest in other parts of the region. It was the first major protests in Inner Mongolia in more than twenty years. Hu instituted a two-pronged policy of appeasement and force, addressing the grievances of the protesting crowds by making a visit to Xilinhot, meeting with students and teachers, and promising compensation for local herders and more strict regulations over business conduct. Meanwhile, he increased security presence across Inner Mongolia, including in the capital,Hohhot,to contain the unrest.[10]
Guangdong
[edit]In November 2012, Hu was appointed to the18th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party,a ruling council of China's top leaders.[11][12]He, along withSun Zhengcai,were the youngest members of the 18th politburo, raising speculation that they were being groomed to become China's next leaders in 2022.[13]In December 2012, Hu was appointed Party Secretary of Guangdong, succeedingWang Yang,who went on to become Vice-Premier in Beijing.[14]The Guangdongleadership posthas historically been filled by those who have gone on to join the national leadership, such asZhao Ziyang,Xi Zhongxun,Li Changchun,Zhang De gian g,andWang Yang.It is widely regarded to be one of China's most important regional offices.
In Guangdong, Hu earned a reputation for being low-key, action-oriented leader who is not fond of bureaucracy or formalities. Almost immediately after his assuming the reins in Guangdong, Hu's government began a sweeping crackdown on so-calledluoguan,i.e., officials who work in China but whose spouses and children live abroad. Since the beginning of Hu's term, over 800luoguanhave been disciplined, demoted, or otherwise removed from office. Hu's government also cracked down on drug trafficking and the sex industry in theDongguanarea, dispatching police to conduct massive raids of the city's prostitution venues, and removing the city's vice mayor and police chief from office.[15]
Hu's government also began experimenting with the public release of information on the assets of local officials, and have moved to codify anti-corruption measures into law with the provincial legislature.[16]In October 2014, Hu's government began a series of public consultations on new anti-corruption regulations. Taking best practices from theIndependent Commission Against Corruptionin Hong Kong, Hu's government experimented with – in select local areas – merging the traditionally separate departments of Discipline Inspection, Supervision, Anti-Corruption, and Audit into a single agency in charge of combating graft.[15]During's Hu's term, theParty Committee Secretaryof the provincial capital Guangzhou,Wan Qingliang,was investigated for corruption and removed from office.
Central government
[edit]In March 2018, he was elected by theNational People's Congressto serve as aVice Premier of Chinain PremierLi Keqiang'sCabinet.
After the20th CCP National Congressin 2022, Hu was left the Politburo, though he remained a Central Committee member.[17]In March 2023, he left the office as vice premier and was instead elected asvice chairmanof theChinese People's Political Consultative Conference(CPPCC).[18]He was named as one of two deputy party secretaries of the CPPCC in the same month.[19]
Public image
[edit]Hu has maintained a relatively low public profile during his rise to positions of power. Hu is known for his low-key style in public, and does not discuss his private life. During the2012 National People's Congress,Hu Chunhua only answered four out of twenty questions posed to him by reporters, casting many sensitive questions to his subordinates. When asked personal questions, he said that he was only interested in matters relating to Inner Mongolia. He refused to comment on his personal ambitions, or whether or not he had aWeiboaccount.[20]Following the dismissal ofBo Xilaiin April 2012, Hu was heavily promoted due to his loyalty to central party authorities under Hu Jintao'sleadership.[20]He toed the party line and is seen as a close confidant and loyalist ofHu Jintao.[20]
AfterXi JinpingassumedGeneral Secretary of the Chinese Communist Partyin 2012, Hu continued to play a prominent role politically - his record in Guangdong impressed the central authorities and was praised by Xi personally. There was wide speculation that Hu would advance directly to theCCP Politburo Standing Committeein 2017 and be groomed as a putative successor to the top leadership, but this ultimately did not occur. However, Hu was selected to become Vice-Premier in 2018, continuing to be the youngest leader among the senior-most ranks of the party.[4][21]It was again speculated that Hu might join the Standing Committee in 2022,[22]but instead he was demoted from the Politburo.[17]
His political beliefs about Tibet are fairly opaque. He is able to hold simple conversations inTibetanas he had worked there as a regional official.[4]
References
[edit]- ^Hồ, vĩnh thu; nhạc, hoằng bân (2023) [2023-03-11]."Trung Quốc nhân dân hội nghị hiệp thương chính trị đệ thập tứ giới cả nước ủy ban phó chủ tịch lý lịch sơ lược"[Biographical Note of the Vice-Chairmen of the Fourteenth National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference].lianghui.people.cn.Nhân dân võng - Nhân Dân Nhật Báo.Retrieved2024-06-08.
- ^Quốc Vụ Viện văn phòng (2018) [2018-03-19]."Hồ xuân hoa đồng chí lý lịch sơ lược _ nhân vật tư liệu"[Biography of Comrade Hu Chunhua_Personal Information].gov.cn.Tân Hoa Xã.Retrieved2024-06-08.
- ^abcKuhn, Robert Lawrence (2011).How China's Leaders Think.Wiley. p. 429.ISBN978-0470824450.
- ^abcdLam, Willy (15 May 2009)."Hu Jintao Picks Core Sixth-Generation Leaders".China Brief via Jamestown Foundation.Retrieved29 April2012.
- ^(in Chinese)Hồ xuân hoa nhậm Hà Bắc đại tỉnh trưởng vì Trung Quốc trước mắt tuổi trẻ nhất tỉnh trưởngHu Chunhua appointed as Acting Governor of Hebei, currently youngest governor in China,SinaApril 15, 2008.
- ^(in Chinese)Tỉnh Hà Bắc mười một giới người đại lần thứ hai hội nghị tuyển cử hồ xuân hoa vì tỉnh trưởng[permanent dead link],People's DailyJanuary 12, 2009.
- ^(in Chinese)Hồ xuân hoa đảm nhiệm tỉnh Hà Bắc tỉnh trưởng[permanent dead link],CaijingJanuary 12, 2009.
- ^abHồ xuân hoa lý lịch sơ lược(in Chinese). Xinhua. 2008-04-15. Archived fromthe originalon 10 August 2010.Retrieved28 April2010.
- ^abcd"Hồ xuân hoa: Nội mông không hề cố tình theo đuổi GDP tăng tốc cả nước đệ nhất (Hu Chunhua: Inner Mongolia will no longer pursue GDP growth rankings)".Duowei.7 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 4 March 2016.Retrieved29 April2012.
- ^Jacobs, Andrew (May 30, 2011)."Anger Over Protesters' Deaths Leads to Intensified Demonstrations by Mongolians".New York Times.Retrieved2011-06-09.
- ^"China Vitae: Biography of Hu Chunhua".chinavitae.Retrieved2021-10-27.
- ^Blanchard, Ben (2012-10-12)."'Little Hu' may play a big role in China's political future ".Taipei Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2013-01-25.
- ^"New Politburo Lineup Signals Rising Stars Who May Replace Xi".Bloomberg. Archived fromthe originalon January 25, 2013.RetrievedDecember 21,2012.
- ^"Chinese rising star Hu Chunhua made Guangdong party Boss".BBC News.December 21, 2012.
- ^abZuo, Mandy (February 11, 2014)."Dongguan police chiefs suspended in prostitution crackdown following CCTV report".South China Morning Post.
- ^Ji, Beiqun (November 21, 2014)."Hồ xuân hoa kiếm chọn" vùng nam Lưỡng Quảng "Nhỏ giọng về phía trước trúc tân cục".Duowei. Archived fromthe originalon 2014-11-23.Retrieved2014-11-21.
- ^abChen, Stella (24 October 2022)."China's Hu Chunhua loses Politburo seat, raising doubts about political future".South China Morning Post.Retrieved6 November2022.
- ^"23 vice-chairpersons elected for 14th CPPCC National Committee".en.cppcc.gov.cn.Retrieved2023-03-11.
- ^"Cả nước hội nghị hiệp thương chính trị đảng tổ lý luận học tập trung tâm tổ cử hành 2023 năm lần đầu tiên tập thể học tập vương hỗ ninh chủ trì cũng nói chuyện".Nhân dân hội nghị hiệp thương chính trị báo.2023-03-28.
- ^abcLam, Willy (26 April 2012)."Hu Jintao's Sixth Generation Protégés Play Safe to Ensure Promotion".China Brief viaThe Jamestown Foundation.Retrieved28 April2012.
- ^Edward Wong (November 26, 2012)."China's Leadership Change Puts Pair Ahead of Their Peers for 2017".The New York Times.RetrievedNovember 27,2012.
- ^"New leaders will soon inhabit China's top decision-making bodies".The Economist.15 September 2022.Retrieved6 November2022.
- Vice premiers of the People's Republic of China
- 1963 births
- Living people
- Delegates to the 13th National People's Congress
- Politicians from Yichang
- Tuanpai
- People's Republic of China politicians from Hubei
- Political office-holders in Inner Mongolia
- Governors of Hebei
- Chinese Communist Party politicians from Hubei
- Political office-holders in Tibet
- Peking University alumni
- Members of the 17th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
- Members of the 18th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
- Members of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
- Members of the 18th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party
- Members of the 19th Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party
- Members of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party