Career Timeline of Hu Jintao: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Hu Jintao, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Hu Jintao is a retired Chinese politician who held significant leadership positions, including General Secretary of the CCP (2002-2012), President of China (2003-2013), and Chairman of the Central Military Commission (2004-2012). He was a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee (1992-2012) and served as China's paramount leader from 2002 to 2012, playing a crucial role in the country's political and economic development during that period.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

April 1964: Joined the Chinese Communist Party

In April 1964, Hu Jintao joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

July 1965: Began working as an engineer

In July 1965, Hu Jintao began working as an engineer after graduating from Tsinghua University.

1968: Volunteered service in Gansu

In 1968, during the Third Front construction, Hu Jintao volunteered for service in Gansu and worked on the construction of Liujiaxia Hydroelectric Station.

1969: Started working for Sinohydro Engineering Bureau

In 1969, Hu Jintao began working for Sinohydro Engineering Bureau.

1973: Transferred to Construction Department of Gansu

In 1973, Hu Jintao was transferred to the Construction Department of Gansu as a secretary.

1974: Continued working for Sinohydro Engineering Bureau

In 1974, Hu Jintao was still working for Sinohydro Engineering Bureau.

1980: Deng Xiaoping implemented the "Four Transformations" program

In 1980, Deng Xiaoping implemented the "Four Transformations" program and Song Ping discovered Hu Jintao and promoted him several ranks.

1982: Promoted to Communist Youth League Gansu Branch secretary

In 1982, Hu Jintao was promoted to the position of Communist Youth League Gansu Branch secretary and was appointed as the director of the All-China Youth Federation.

1985: Transferred to Guizhou as provincial Committee secretary

In 1985, Hu Jintao was transferred to Guizhou as the provincial Committee secretary of the Chinese Communist Party.

1987: Handled local students protest carefully

In 1987, Hu Jintao carefully handled the local students protest in Guizhou, in contrast to the protests in Beijing that led to Hu Yaobang's resignation.

1988: Transferred to Tibet Autonomous Region

In 1988, Hu Jintao was transferred to become Party Regional Committee secretary of the Tibet Autonomous Region and Political commissar of the local People's Liberation Army units.

October 1992: Became member of Politburo Standing Committee

In October 1992, Hu Jintao became the youngest member of the seven-member Politburo Standing Committee.

1992: Became leading member of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party

In 1992, Hu Jintao became a leading member of the Secretariat of the Chinese Communist Party, overseeing day-to-day operations and the Central Party School.

1992: Joined CCP Politburo Standing Committee

In 1992, Hu Jintao became a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee.

1998: Became Vice President of China

In 1998, Hu Jintao became the Vice President of China and promoted Jiang's "Three Stresses" movement.

1999: China's leading voice during the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade

In 1999, Hu Jintao became China's leading voice during the United States bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

2001: Publicized Jiang's Three Represents theory

In 2001, Hu Jintao publicized Jiang's Three Represents theory.

November 2002: Became CCP General Secretary

In November 2002, Hu Jintao became the CCP general secretary, making him the paramount leader of China.

2002: Became General Secretary of the CCP

In 2002, Hu Jintao became the general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

2003: Became President of China

In 2003, Hu Jintao became the president of China.

2003: SARS outbreak and dismissal of officials

In 2003, during the SARS outbreak, Hu Jintao dismissed several party and government officials, including the health minister and the Mayor of Beijing, due to initial cover-up and slow response to the crisis.

September 2004: Jiang Zemin resigned as CMC chairman

In September 2004, Jiang Zemin resigned as CMC chairman, after which Hu Jintao took on the three institutions in the People's Republic of China where power lay: the party, the state, and the military.

2004: Became Chairman of the Central Military Commission

In 2004, Hu Jintao became the chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

April 2005: Meeting with KMT chairman Lien Chan

In April 2005, Hu Jintao met with then-KMT chairman Lien Chan, marking the first meeting between the leaders of the two parties since the conclusion of World War II.

2005: Liberalized exchange rates for the yuan

From 2005 to 2012, under Hu's administration, exchange rates for the yuan were liberalized and the peg to the U.S. dollar was broken, leading the yuan to rise by 31% against the dollar.

March 2006: Released the "Eight Honors and Eight Shames"

In March 2006, Hu Jintao released the "Eight Honors and Eight Shames" as a set of moral codes to be followed by the Chinese people.

2006: Articulated foreign policy objectives

In 2006, Hu Jintao articulated the four phases of China's foreign policy developmental objectives, prioritizing big powers, periphery countries, developing countries, and multilateralism.

2006: Launched "Eight Honors and Eight Shames" movement

In the beginning of 2006, Hu Jintao launched the "Eight Honors and Eight Shames" movement to promote a more selfless and moral outlook.

June 2007: Gave important speech at the Central Party School

In June 2007, Hu Jintao gave an important speech at the Central Party School, using a populist tone and noting the need for increased democracy.

October 2007: Re-elected as General Secretary and Chairman of CCP Central Military Commission

On 22 October 2007, at the 17th CCP National Congress, Hu Jintao was re-elected as general secretary of the Central Committee and chairman of the CCP Central Military Commission.

2007: Scientific Outlook on Development written into CCP Constitution

In 2007, the Scientific Outlook on Development was written into the CCP Constitution.

March 2008: Re-elected as President

On 15 March 2008, at the 11th National People's Congress, Hu Jintao was re-elected as president and chairman of the PRC Central Military Commission.

April 2008: Met with Taiwan's vice president-elect Vincent Siew

On 12 April 2008, Hu Jintao met with Taiwan's vice president-elect Vincent Siew in the latter's role as chairman of the Cross-strait Common Market Foundation during the Boao Forum for Asia.

May 2008: Met with KMT chairman Wu Po-hsiung

On 28 May 2008, Hu Jintao met with KMT chairman Wu Po-hsiung, the first meeting between the heads of the CCP and the KMT as ruling parties.

June 2008: Governmental dialogue took place via the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits

In June 2008, governmental dialogue took place via the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits based on the 1992 Consensus, with the first meeting held in Beijing.

December 2008: Resumption of the Three Links

In December 2008, the two sides agreed on the resumption of the Three Links, i.e., a re-opening of mail, trade, and direct air links between the two sides.

2008: Developed relations with Japan, downgraded relations with Russia

In 2008, Hu Jintao sought to develop China's relationship with Japan, which he visited. He also downgraded relations with Russia due to unfulfilled deals.

2008: 2008 Beijing Olympics

In 2008, the Beijing Olympics took place, sponsored by Hu Jintao. It was one of China's achievements under his leadership.

2008: Scientific Outlook on Development written into State Constitutions

In 2008, the Scientific Outlook on Development was written into the State Constitutions.

2009: Called for bolstered arms control

In 2009, Hu Jintao called for a bolstered arms control agenda at the United Nations General Assembly, joining United States President Barack Obama's earlier calls for a nuclear-free world.

2010: 2010 Shanghai Expo

In 2010, the Shanghai Expo took place, sponsored by Hu Jintao. It was one of China's achievements under his leadership.

2010: Signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA)

In 2010, the preferential trade agreement Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) was signed.

November 2012: Xi Jinping elected general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the CMC

In November 2012, immediately after the 18th CCP National Congress, Xi Jinping was elected to the posts of general secretary of the CCP and chairman of the CMC by the 18th Central Committee, succeeding Hu Jintao.