Political analysts pointed out the appearance of Hu Haifeng, the son of former Chinese Communist Party (CCP) General Secretary Hu Jintao, at a recent high-profile event. Analysts view this as another indication that Xi Jinping has lost power. They argued: If Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao do not have power currently, why would Shanghai Party Secretary Chen Jining invite Hu Haifeng to appear so publicly at an important event? Thus, they take Hu Haifeng’s appearance as evidence that Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao do hold power behind the scenes.
The event, held on June 18, 2025, was an unveiling ceremony for the China Capital Market Society at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Lujiazui Forum, put on by the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Shanghai Municipal Government. A plaque was jointly unveiled by Chen Jining, Shanghai Party Secretary; Wang Jiang, Executive Deputy Director of the Chinese Central Financial Office; Wu Qing, Chairman of the CSRC; Gong Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai; and Hu Haifeng, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs. The website of the CSRC posted a photo of the event.
Sources:
1. CSRS website, June 18, 2025
http://www.csrc.gov.cn/csrc/c100028/c7565142/content.shtml
2. Epoch Times, June 21, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/6/21/n14535800.htm