Danson Cheong Profile picture
Beijing-based correspondent for The Straits Times @straits_times. In the business of describing things. Views here my own.

Oct 22, 2022, 14 tweets

Glorious blue skies in Beijing to close the 20th Party Congress

But it took a fair bit of effort to get here, journalists have been in a Covid bubble since Wednesday. And Covid testing regimen has been excessive to say the least - twice-a-day tests yesterday and today

Proceedings underway in the main hall, meanwhile we’re just waiting to get in

Things to watch out for today - the full list of Central Committee members, which will give us a hint of just who would make up the Politburo and it’s Standing Committee tomorrow, and the amendments to the party constitution expected to consolidate Xi’s position in the party.

More here from my colleagues @dawn_wei_tan and Ben:

straitstimes.com/asia/last-minu…

Early drama: Hu Jintao seen being led out soon after reporters are led into the main hall

Highly unusual, Hu didn’t seem to want to leave

My story here together with @weiawbsg: Changes to party charter further cements Chinese President Xi Jinping’s power straitstimes.com/asia/cpc-congr…

But more on this morning’s Hu drama: he could’ve been unwell, the old chap is 80 this year. Li Zhanshu at one point was seen rubbing his back

See some questions about when Hu left, we were only let into the hall after voting on the Central Committee was completed, meaning Hu was led out before votes were taken on the work report, CCDI report and the party constitution amendments
straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia…

Here's that moment in higher definition h/t @LeoRamirezAFP

Another clip of the moments leading up to the original Hu video

State media’s explanation posted to Twitter for the Hu Jintao incident on Saturday night

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