What is Hu Jintao known for?

Hu Jintao is a Chinese politician who is known for serving as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 2002 to 2012.

He was also president of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from 2003 to 2013, and chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) from 2004 to 2012.

Hu presided over a decade of consistent economic growth and guided China through the global financial crisis relatively unscathed, and significantly increased China’s international stature.

During Hu’s presidency, China’s influence in Africa, Latin America, and other developing regions grew.

Hu’s accomplishments included modernising China’s infrastructure, launching China’s first manned space probe, and sponsoring two successful international events: the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and the Shanghai Expo in 2010.

Hu’s leadership style was modest and reserved. His presidency was distinguished by collective leadership and consensus-based rule.

As a result of these characteristics, Hu became a somewhat enigmatic figure in the public eye. His administration was known for emphasising technocratic competence over persona.

Hu was praised at the end of his tenure for voluntarily retiring from all positions. Xi Jinping succeeded him.