Hú Jǐntāo (胡锦涛)
Born 21 Dec 1942 (Age 72) *bday*
Was the paramount leader of China between 2002 & 2012 *CN*
He presided over nearly a decade of consistent economic growth and development that cemented China as a major world power
Through Hu’s tenure, China’s influence in Africa, Latin America & other developing regions has increased
Hu retired in 2013
& was succeeded by Xi Jinping