to 1987. After the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), Hu rose to prominence as a close ally of Deng Xiaoping, the paramount leader of China at the time.

Hu joined the CCP in the 1930s. During the Cultural Revolution, he was purged, recalled, and purged again by Mao Zedong. After Deng rose to power, following Mao's death, Hu played an important role in the Boluan Fanzheng