Today, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held a symposium in Beijing to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of Hu Yaobang, with CCP leader Xi Jinping delivering a speech. Observers believe that while such symposiums are customary for the CCP, there is a division among the “princelings,” or offspring of influential CCP members. Hu Deping, the eldest son of Hu Yaobang still symbolizes the anti-Xi camp.
Xi Jinping praised Hu Yaobang during the symposium, emphasizing his advocacy for and promotion of reform and opening up, calling on the entire party to resist corruption like Hu Yaobang did. The official Xinhua News Agency reported on the event held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where top CCP officials including Cai Qi and Li Xi were present.
Hu Yaobang’s relatives, friends, and representatives from his hometown also attended the symposium. It is customary for the CCP to hold commemorations for deceased high-ranking leaders on significant anniversaries. The official language used during such events typically stresses unity within the party. The contrast between Hu Yaobang’s reformist stance and Xi Jinping’s perceived autocratic tendencies adds an ironic undertone to the commemoration.
Hu Yaobang was forced to resign in 1987 on the grounds of advocating “bourgeois liberalization” by senior CCP leaders such as Deng Xiaoping and Bo Yibo. He passed away from a heart attack on April 15, 1989. His death sparked student mourning at major universities in Beijing, which eventually led to political demands for freedom, democracy, anti-bureaucracy, and anti-corruption. The ensuing crackdown on the student-led protests culminated in the bloody Tiananmen Square massacre that shocked the world.
While official narratives surrounding Hu Yaobang have not been overtly negative and commemorative activities are held as usual, privately honoring Hu Yaobang remains sensitive. Citizens engaging in activities to commemorate him or the victims of the Tiananmen crackdown face surveillance annually on significant dates related to Hu Yaobang and the events of June 4th.
In the aftermath of the 2015 Beijing Victory Day Parade, a procession of so-called “red descendants” featured on floats, with each holding up photos of their fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other relatives. However, Hu Yaobang’s portrait was notably absent, with his descendants’ names also omitted from parade reports.
Following the 2025 Beijing parade, Xi Jinping’s brother Xi Yuanping hosted a gathering of over a hundred “red descendants.” Several key figures among the red descendants, such as Liu Yuan, Deng Pufang, and Hu Deping, were notably absent. Despite the historical ties between the Hu and Xi families, the differing political perspectives of Hu Yaobang’s sons and Xi Jinping have widened over time. The retirement of Hu Dewen in March this year, who once served as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of “Yanhuang Chunqiu,” further exemplifies the diverging viewpoints.
According to Australian scholar Feng Chongyi, after Xi Jinping shut down “Yanhuang Chunqiu,” a platform associated with reformist and democratic factions, the rift between the red descendants and Xi Jinping deepened significantly.
Understanding the dynamics within the CCP, Australian scholar Yuan Hongbing recently stated that two major forces within the red descendants pose a challenge to Xi Jinping’s leadership. One faction represents the Deng Xiaoping family, advocating for a return to the privileged capitalist system of the Deng era. The other faction aligns with Hu Deping, former associates of Hu Yaobang, and a significant number of intellectuals influenced by Hu Yaobang’s liberal ideology. They aim to restore the liberal path of the Hu era and ultimately achieve political reform.
Yuan Hongbing cited insider sources suggesting that these factions are preparing critical political documents to “prevent Xi Jinping from being re-elected at the 21st CCP National Congress” while vying for dominance in setting the party’s direction.
The factional divide among the red descendants is a reality, with many aging members and Hu Deping himself possibly not actively opposing Xi Jinping. Nevertheless, the anti-Xi camp will continue to rally under the banner of Hu Yaobang. As Xi Jinping faces challenges due to recent controversial promotions of close allies and various troubles in domestic and foreign policies, figures like Hu Deping from the red descendants may find themselves embroiled in internal CCP power struggles prior to the 21st National Congress.