Hu Jintao
Full Name and Common Aliases
Hu Jintao (胡锦涛) is a prominent Chinese political figure known for his tenure as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the President of the People's Republic of China. Often referred to simply as "Hu," he played a significant role in shaping modern China's political and economic landscape.
Birth and Death Dates
Hu Jintao was born on December 21, 1942. As of the latest available information, he is still living.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Hu Jintao is Chinese by nationality. His professional life is marked by his roles as a politician and a statesman. He served as the paramount leader of China, holding the top offices in the Communist Party, the state, and the military.
Early Life and Background
Hu Jintao was born in Taizhou, Jiangsu Province, China. His early life was marked by the socio-political upheavals of mid-20th century China. Despite these challenges, Hu excelled academically, attending Tsinghua University in Beijing, where he studied hydraulic engineering. His education at one of China's most prestigious universities laid the foundation for his future political career. During his time at Tsinghua, Hu joined the Communist Party of China, marking the beginning of his ascent in Chinese politics.
Major Accomplishments
Hu Jintao's political career is distinguished by his rise through the ranks of the Communist Party. He became a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, the highest decision-making body in China, in 1992. In 2002, Hu succeeded Jiang Zemin as General Secretary of the Communist Party, and in 2003, he became the President of the People's Republic of China. His leadership is noted for promoting the concept of a "Harmonious Society," which aimed to address social inequalities and foster sustainable economic growth.
Notable Works or Actions
During his tenure, Hu Jintao focused on economic reforms and modernization, steering China through a period of rapid economic growth. He emphasized scientific development and innovation, which contributed to China's emergence as a global economic powerhouse. Hu also prioritized improving China's international relations, enhancing its role on the world stage. Domestically, he worked on reducing poverty and improving living standards, although his administration faced criticism for its human rights record and strict control over political dissent.
Impact and Legacy
Hu Jintao's leadership marked a period of significant transformation for China. Under his guidance, China continued its trajectory of economic expansion, becoming the world's second-largest economy. His policies on social harmony and scientific development have left a lasting impact on China's socio-economic fabric. However, his tenure is also remembered for maintaining strict political control and limited political reforms, which have been subjects of both domestic and international debate.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Hu Jintao is widely quoted and remembered for his pragmatic approach to governance and his emphasis on stability and development. His speeches and policies often highlighted the importance of a balanced and harmonious society, resonating with China's broader goals of modernization and global integration. Hu's leadership style, characterized by consensus-building and cautious reform, has been a point of reference for subsequent Chinese leaders. His tenure is frequently cited in discussions about China's rise as a global power and the challenges of managing such rapid growth while maintaining social stability.
In summary, Hu Jintao's legacy is one of significant economic achievement and cautious political stewardship. His contributions to China's development and his vision for a harmonious society continue to influence Chinese policy and global perceptions of China.
Quotes by Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao's insights on:
The monetary policy of the United States has a major impact on global liquidity and capital flows and therefore, the liquidity of the U.S. dollar should be kept at a reasonable and stable level.
Our task is tough, and our time is limited. Party organizations and governments at all levels must give priority to emission reduction and bring the idea deep into people’s hearts.
China attaches great importance to the utilization of renewable resources, making it one of the important moves to promote economic and social development.
The political restructuring we pursue in China is aimed at advancing the self-improvement and development of the socialist political system. We will continue to expand people’s democracy and build a socialist country under the rule of law in keeping with China’s national conditions.
The world economy today is recovering slowly, and there are still some destabilising factors and uncertainties. The underlying impact of the international financial crisis is far from over.
The overall strength of Chinese culture and its international influence is not commensurate with China’s international status. The international culture of the West is strong while we are weak.
Regardless of person or political party and regardless of what he or it has said or done, we are willing to hold talks on developing cross-Strait relations so long as he or it recognizes the 'One China' principle and the 1992 consensus,
I want to extend on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people our deepest sympathy to the American government and people for the human loss and property loss inflicted by Hurricane Katrina,
resolutely prevent and combat all types of terrorist activities so as to earnestly safeguard the masses' security and world peace.