Xi Urges Communist Party Unity At Jiang Zemin Centenary Tribute

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday urged Communist Party members to uphold the party’s leadership as he paid tribute to former president Jiang Zemin on the 100th anniversary of his birth.

Speaking at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Xi said it was “imperative” to maintain the party’s overall leadership and the centralised, unified leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee. He also called for stricter party discipline and urged members to learn from Jiang’s handling of crises and commitment to communist ideals.

Xi also warned party members to stay alert to possible dangers and prepare for major tests. In a 40 minute speech, he called for determination in dealing with difficult challenges facing China.

Thousands of officials attended the ceremony, including all seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee. Former premier Wen Jiabao and former vice-president Wang Qishan were also present. Former president Hu Jintao, Jiang’s successor, was not seen in state media footage of the event.

Jiang served as CPC general secretary from 1989 to 2002 and president from 1993 to 2003. He died in 2022 aged 96. His years in power saw rapid economic growth, major reforms and greater space for private business. China also joined the World Trade Organization in 2001 under his leadership.

Jiang and former premier Zhu Rongji pushed through major changes, including shutting loss making state firms and replacing the old housing system with a commercial property market. They also guided China through the Asian financial crisis.

The tribute comes as China faces a different economic climate under Xi. He has tightened central control and put more focus on state led growth, technology and strategic industries. China is also dealing with slower growth, demographic decline, trade tensions with the US and Europe, and tensions over Taiwan.

Jiang remains popular among some Chinese internet users, with younger people looking back at his era with nostalgia. State broadcaster CCTV has aired a 12 part documentary about his life, while the central bank plans to issue commemorative coins bearing his image later this month.

The ceremony also comes days after the death of former premier Zhu Rongji, Jiang’s key partner during the reform years. Zhu died on August 12 aged 97, with his funeral scheduled for Tuesday.