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Jiang Zemin

The end of Maoist policies that ushered in the era of reform and opening up happened at a third plenary session. Some hope the third plenary magic touch will return next month. Photo: Handout

Opinion | Third plenary magic: Beijing has fresh chance to restore investor confidence

Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin used third plenary sessions to usher in new eras of growth. Beijing should do it again.

11 Jun 2024 - 7:13AM

My Take | New catchphrase hints at China’s chase for tech-led economic revival

5 Mar 2024 - 7:00AM

Opinion | The adversarial thrust in US policy makes it hard for China to trust

10 Mar 2023 - 2:33AMvideocam

China Briefing | Xi’s Chinese dream in danger of being hijacked by ultra-left nationalism

The ultra-leftist revival threatens Xi’s plans to revive the economy and turn China into a dominant world power by 2049. It’s time to curb these ultra-nationalistic tendencies and return to pragmatic reform and development.

6 Mar 2023 - 1:00AMvideocam

Mao’s former barefoot doctor recalls sole foreign takeover of Chinese bank

Shan Weijian was the co-managing partner of San Francisco-based private-equity firm Newbridge Capital when it took over a controlling stake in Shenzhen Development Bank in 2005.

2 Feb 2023 - 5:19PMvideocam

China needs to trust the power of capital to reboot its economy

Deng Xiaoping’s embrace of economic liberalisation unleashed a boom in private entrepreneurship in China, but the confidence that entrepreneurs had in Beijing to protect their interests has somewhat weakened in the past decade.

10 Jan 2023 - 7:00AM

Xi Jinping’s year in photographs revealed in New Year broadcast

Former president Jiang Zemin’s passing acknowledged in speech and with two pictures added to Xi’s office collection.

2 Jan 2023 - 4:10PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers his New Year’s Eve address on Saturday from his Beijing office. Photo: EPA-EFE

‘Comrade Jiang Zemin’ remembered, but what does his death mean for China?

In this edition of the Global Impact newsletter, we look back at the life and achievements of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, and ahead to what the future holds for China.

12 Dec 2022 - 2:16PMvideocam

Ashes of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin scattered into the sea

Jiang’s relatives say their final farewells as they strew his remains on waters at the entrance to the Yangtze River.

11 Dec 2022 - 9:00PMvideocam

With China property-market deep freeze thawing, will boom times return soon?

The policy ‘arrows’ Beijing fired in November will aid debt-trapped developers, but observers differ on the timing and magnitude of a rebound, while some doubt the boom times will ever return.

16 Dec 2022 - 12:45PM

Opinion | Political pragmatism has always driven China’s economic growth

With pragmatic leaders like Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin, China’s opening up was a lesson in how far small investments can go when paired with the right policy framework and a willingness to adapt. As Beijing moves to ease parts of its zero-Covid policy, there is hope these virtues live on.

8 Dec 2022 - 5:26AMvideocam

People walk along a pedestrian street in Shanghai. Time and again, when the national policy framework in place favoured a readiness to learn, adapt and change, rapid progress followed. Photo: AFP

Editorial | New journey by Xi to build on foundations laid by reformer Jiang

As China moves forward, the legacy of Jiang Zemin will prove invaluable for President Xi Jinping, who faces challenges equal to those overcome by his predecessor.

7 Dec 2022 - 5:38AMvideocam

Xi Jinping hails Jiang Zemin for steering China through tough times

Xi vows to carry on with opening up to the world while also working for ‘national rejuvenation’.

6 Dec 2022 - 11:44PMvideocam

As I See It | Jiang Zemin paved the way for China’s rise, helped by diplomats like Liu Huaqiu

Foreign policy aide Liu, who died last month at 83, was a key player in handling US affairs after the Tiananmen crackdown.

6 Dec 2022 - 9:00PMvideocam

Liu Huaqiu was said to have been seen as a skilled negotiator and hardliner by his US counterparts. Photo: Handout

Why former leader Hu Jintao did not attend Jiang Zemin’s funeral

The 80-year-old did attend a brief ceremony on Monday, but did not appear at Tuesday’s longer funeral service.

6 Dec 2022 - 8:42PMvideocam

Hu Jintao bids farewell to Jiang Zemin in Beijing on Monday. Photo: CCTV

China holds state funeral for late leader Jiang Zemin

6 Dec 2022 - 6:10PM

Opinion | History will be kind to the meticulous and curious Jiang Zemin

He was an unexpected choice as leader, and not especially popular among elites and intellectuals right after stepping down. But as more learn of his professional leadership and intellectual curiosity, Jiang is winning fans

6 Dec 2022 - 2:28PM

Hong Kong joins mainland China in 3 minutes of silence for Jiang Zemin

Government agencies, courts, schools and hospitals pay final tribute to ex-president, as ferry horns echo across Victoria Harbour.

6 Dec 2022 - 4:23PMvideocam

Scientia Secondary School students observing three minutes of silence before the live broadcast of the funeral service. Photo: Sam Tsang

As it happened: Xi Jinping pays tribute to late Chinese president Jiang Zemin

Xi credits Jiang with leading the country through difficult times, upholding the rule of socialism and persisting in opening up and economic reform.

6 Dec 2022 - 11:47AMvideocam

‘Dig into tough problems’: top scientists remember Jiang Zemin’s curiosity

Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin had a keen appreciation of science, ‘thirst to explore new ideas’.

6 Dec 2022 - 10:09AMvideocam

China’s economic rise under Jiang Zemin offered lessons that resonate today

When China was at a critical crossroads in 1989, Jiang helped lay the groundwork for an economic transformation, and it largely hinged on improving relations with Western countries.

6 Dec 2022 - 10:08AMvideocam

Former US president Bill Clinton meets with his Chinese counterpart, Jiang Zemin, during a visit to China in 1998. Photo: Reuters

My Take | Pragmatism is driving China’s new Covid controls, not ideology

Some China watchers may cite the increased appearance of ideological phrases in the 20th party congress report to conclude that Beijing is ditching pragmatism, but such arguments diverge from reality.

6 Dec 2022 - 6:11AMvideocam

Residents wearing face masks wait in line for their routine Covid-19 tests in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP Photo

Jiang Zemin cremated in Beijing, top leaders pay their respects

Ceremony held at PLA hospital before casket taken to Babaoshan cemetery for cremation.

6 Dec 2022 - 2:50AMvideocam

Hong Kong to observe 3 minutes of silence to honour late China leader Jiang Zemin

In Hong Kong, students, civil servants, healthcare staff to join residents in honouring late leader.

5 Dec 2022 - 9:46PMvideocam

Opinion | Jiang Zemin’s transformational leadership a fitting legacy for Hong Kong

From transitional figure to transformative leader, the late president led Hong Kong and China into a new era. Now as our city begins another chapter, we could use more of Jiang’s underdog spirit.

5 Dec 2022 - 6:45AMvideocam

Then president Jiang Zemin smiles through the rain, and waves to a crowd on his arrival in Hong Kong on June 30, 1997. Photo: Reuters

Beijing to cut traffic in city’s west for Jiang Zemin memorial service

Curbs to start on Monday and encompass the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery.

6 Dec 2022 - 2:50AMvideocam

Parts of Beijing will be out of bounds for general traffic from Monday until after the memorial service for late president Jiang Zemin. Photo: AP

Opinion | When Jiang Zemin showed the world that Hong Kong meant business

Twenty one years ago, then-president Jiang agreed to attend a business forum here, giving InvestHK a great start – and showing the world that Hong Kong had China’s full backing.

4 Dec 2022 - 11:45AMvideocam

Hong Kong to mourn Jiang Zemin with citywide arrangements planned for Tuesday

Hong Kong will mourn together with ‘mainland compatriots’ when memorial service is being held in Beijing on Tuesday, government spokesman says.

5 Dec 2022 - 6:14PMvideocam

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Jiang Zemin

Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin died in Shanghai on November 30, 2022, aged 96. Jiang, who was born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu in 1926, graduated from Shanghai Jiaotong University with a degree in electronic engineering, and rose up in state-owned factories and government agencies overseeing industries. He was promoted to China's top power bench soon after the bloody crackdown on student movement in Beijing in 1989, becoming general secretary of the Party and chairman of its Central Military Commission. He became president in 1993. He held on to the military chief job for two more years even after handing the Party leadership and presidency to successor Hu Jintao in 2002-2003. He was believed to still wield massive influence on Chinese politics a decade after his retirement.

Born

17 Aug 1926

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former General Secretary of the Communist Party of China

last updated:

7 October, 2024