The ex-leader who steered China through monumental changes has died in Shanghai following a prolonged illness.
Jiang Zemin, who led China through an era of substantial economic growth and political change, has passed away at the age of 96. According to state media, he died in Shanghai on Wednesday after a battle with leukaemia and multiple organ failure.
His death comes amid widespread protests within China, which has led to political unrest reminiscent of the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations. The Communist Party expressed its sorrow, calling Jiang’s death an “incalculable loss” to the nation, its military, and people from all walks of life.
Jiang rose to power in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square protests, assuming leadership in 1989. Though initially viewed by some as a transitional figure, his leadership saw the Communist Party consolidate its grip on power and China’s remarkable economic rise.
His tenure, from 1993 to 2003 as President and from 1989 to 2002 as the Party’s General Secretary, was marked by landmark events such as the 1997 peaceful handover of Hong Kong and China’s entry into the World Trade Organisation in 2001. Despite his achievements, Jiang was criticised for his government’s harsh response to the Falun Gong movement and his firm stance on Taiwan.
Jiang’s political ideology, the “Three Represents,” sought to modernise the Communist Party, allowing it to evolve with China’s growing economy. His time in power is often seen as a period of relative political and social tolerance compared to the stricter regimes that followed, with some noting that his leadership seemed more liberal in comparison to his successors.
He continued to hold significant influence even after stepping down, often overshadowing his successor, Hu Jintao.
Born in Yangzhou, Jiang was raised in a family with deep ties to the Communist Party. His personal life was marked by his marriage in 1949 and the birth of two sons, both of whom have made their mark in academia and science.
Known for his vibrant personality, Jiang was also recognised for his fondness for Western culture, particularly Hollywood films, and was famous for singing Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” on occasion. Over time, younger generations affectionately dubbed him “toad” in reference to viral memes that compared his distinctive glasses to the appearance of the amphibian, though his critics were less kind, often dismissing him as a mere “flowerpot” in political circles.
