Questions swirl after China's former leader Hu leaves event

A file photo showing Hu Jintao (left) congratulating Xi Jinping at the fourth plenary meeting of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China on March 14, 2013. - Xinhua

BEIJING (AP): The twice-a-decade congress of China's ruling Communist Party is a tightly choreographed event. So when former Chinese President Hu Jintao was guided off stage without explanation Saturday - as the world’s media looked on - questions spilled forth.

The speculation ran from a health crisis to an attempted protest by the 79-year-old former leader, or a political purge by current President Xi Jinping. Xi has previously gone after retired officials on corruption charges, though never one as high-ranking as Hu.