Two ends of the spectrum of comments on this event
1) Out of respect for Hu’s former status, and Xi’s desire for party unity, Xi invited Hu to sit next to him at this final ceremony of the 20th party congress, in spite of Hu’s frail health and state of mind. Hu had a health incident (or he shat himself) and sadly, the confused old Hu needed to be helped out of the ceremony
2) As Politburo appointments showed, Xi has top-to-bottom control of the Government and can now be Emporer for life. Xi’s conflict with the “Communist Youth League” group (or Shanghai clique, its often called) is finally over and he has crushed them. Displaying to any potential rivals (and also to foreigners) the decrepit Hu being purposely brought to the ceremony - and then being unceremoniously removed, is a public display pointing out conflict/debate is over - and Xi Jinping has won. Don’t bet on these old fools, and don’t mess with Xi
The reports that Xi might have been subject to a coup might have actually been a clever ploy by Xi. He could have gathered intelligence on who (Hu?) was happy about a potential coup and is beginning the process of rounding them up or putting the fear of Xi into them.
He did put me in mind of Joe Biden being carefully ushered off the stage - "No, Mr. President, the exit is that way."
Based on the link below which I saw a few weeks ago, I suspect 2). This article describes the warnings from a 105 year old Chinese political actor. He supported the Hu just removed, and if you read the entire article not just the top of what is posted, you will also find described information about “the 2 Hus” and their political importance. Based on this article I think this definitely was a Xi power play as the centenarian urged Xi to go in a very different direction. Reading this article gives a clear idea of two important veins of political thought in China. One comment there suggests we should hope Xi wins, because the other view would probably result in a stronger China if followed.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4096746/posts
Here are more details on the 2 views mentioned in my previous comment,
“In a congratulatory message for an event on Sept. 12, the centenarian said that the policy of reform and opening-up “has been the only path to the development and progress of contemporary China and the only path to the realization of the Chinese dream.”
These are words that President Xi Jinping himself spoke nearly five years ago. Song cleverly used Xi’s own words to send a message to the top leader. But Xi has rarely repeated the remark.
More recently, Xi has switched to his own economic policies, such as “common prosperity” and “the prevention of the disorderly expansion of capital.”
Entering his third term, Xi wants to show that he has overtaken Deng Xiaoping in terms of achievements. It is crucial to pave the way for a fourth term and possibly being leader for life.
Song has raised a red flag. Born in 1917, even before the Chinese Communist Party was established, the centenarian has signaled that Deng’s reform and opening-up policy is to be defended at all costs.”