On August 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized party unity during a ceremony marking the 100th birthday of former President Jiang Zemin, attended by the top leadership of the Chinese Communist Party.
According to state broadcaster CCTV, Xi delivered a significant 40-minute speech at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, praising Jiang's political loyalty to the party and listing his achievements, including the establishment of a socialist market economy, China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), and the expansion of reform and opening-up policies.
Xi noted that Jiang maintained a steadfast commitment to economic development during the turbulent international landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s, stating, "He firmly upheld the central task of economic development while safeguarding the 'Four Cardinal Principles' of socialism and the leadership of the Communist Party, continuing the reform and opening-up process."
He further emphasized that Jiang was unwavering in his communist ideology and dedicated to the development of the Communist Party and the people, urging others to emulate Jiang's strong political convictions.
As attention turns to next year's 21st National Congress of the Communist Party, where Xi's potential fourth term is under scrutiny, analysts interpret the celebration of Jiang's legacy as a means to reinforce party leadership and unity under Xi's administration. The South China Morning Post also noted that the event showcased the political continuity of the Chinese leadership ahead of the upcoming leadership reshuffle.
The ceremony saw the attendance of all seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, including Xi, as well as former Premier Wen Jiabao and retired senior leaders like Wang Qishan and Zeng Qinghong. Jiang's family members were also present, although former President Hu Jintao was absent.
On the eve of the ceremony, the People's Daily published a lengthy article under the name of the Central Party History and Literature Research Institute, honoring Jiang's significant achievements while stressing the need to uphold the party's leadership. The article compared Jiang's political accomplishments with Xi's governance, highlighting how Xi has inherited and developed Jiang's legacy.
It stated, "Jiang consistently emphasized the need to firmly uphold the authority of the Party Central Committee. History has repeatedly shown that there must be a core within the entire party, and the Party Central Committee must also have a core; leadership without a core is unreliable."
The article also underscored that China's ability to withstand unprecedented shocks and challenges during Xi's leadership is fundamentally due to the direction and guidance provided by the Party Central Committee, with Xi at its core, and the scientific leadership of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.
In the new journey of Xi's era, it called for a stronger defense of the authority and centralized leadership of the Party Central Committee, especially in times of crisis and upheaval.
Moreover, with just over 20 years remaining to achieve the goal of fully building a modern socialist country, it urged closer unity around the Party Central Committee led by Xi, advocating for the comprehensive implementation of Xi Jinping's Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and a deeper study and application of Xi's thoughts on party building.
Meanwhile, the funeral arrangements for former Premier Zhu Rongji, who led China's economic reforms during Jiang's era, are also underway. According to Xinhua News Agency, Zhu's remains will be cremated on August 18.
Zhu passed away at the age of 98 on August 12 in Beijing while undergoing treatment for illness. He served as Premier from 1998 during the latter part of Jiang's presidency, overseeing state-owned enterprise restructuring, government reform, and leading negotiations for China's WTO accession.
Reports indicate that in tribute to Zhu, flags will be flown at half-mast on August 18 at Tiananmen Square, Xinhua Gate, the Great Hall of the People, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various party and government locations across provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities, as well as in Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas embassies.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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