Food Poisoning Rumor About Hu Jintao's Family Could Spark Political Storm, Analyst Says

A recent online rumor alleging that former Chinese leader Hu Jintao, his wife Liu Yongqing, and their son Hu Haifeng died from food poisoning has sparked widespread discussion.

Shen Rongqin, an associate professor at York University in Canada, commented on the rumor, highlighting its surprising nature. He explained that high-ranking Chinese Communist Party officials are usually provided with specially prepared food, making a food poisoning incident highly improbable. The possibility of an entire family succumbing to such an event, he added, is even lower.

Shen suggested that the rumor, if substantiated, could ignite a major political upheaval within the highest echelons of the CCP, potentially implicating current leader Xi Jinping. The speculation arises from the unusual circumstances and the sensitive nature of the individuals involved.

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Why is this revelation shocking? Because high-ranking CCP officials are all provided with special food, making food poisoning unlikely, and the probability of a 'group wipeout' is even lower.

The rumor originated from a post attributed to Phoenix TV director Qin Feng, who reportedly claimed that the former leader, his wife, and son died after dinner despite rescue efforts. Shen noted Qin Feng's history of making controversial claims, including accurately hinting at Jiang Zemin's death before the official announcement, though she also had a recent instance of a retracted report about Wang Shi's arrest.

Given the background of political intrigue often associated with Chinese leadership transitions and the special security measures surrounding top officials, the alleged food poisoning incident has fueled speculation about internal power struggles and political instability.

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If the revelation is true, it could trigger a political storm.