Xi Jinping Pays Tribute to Jiang Zemin on Birth Centenary, Calls for Advancing Socialism With Chinese Characteristics

Dragon Media News Desk

Chinese President Xi Jinping has hailed the late leader Jiang Zemin’s “indelible contributions” to China’s development and urged the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to continue advancing the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks on Monday at a grand gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing marking the centenary of Jiang’s birth.

Xi paid tribute to Jiang’s achievements and called on Party members to learn from his political conviction, dedication to the people, innovative spirit, strategic thinking, courage and vision.

He described Jiang as a long-tested communist and an outstanding leader of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Jiang was the core of the third generation of the CPC’s central collective leadership and the principal founder of the Theory of Three Represents.

Born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, in August 1926, Jiang became general secretary of the CPC Central Committee in 1989. He died in 2022 at the age of 96.

Around 6,000 people attended the commemorative gathering, which was presided over by Premier Li Qiang. Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also attended, along with Vice President Han Zheng.

Xi said Jiang had made major contributions to safeguarding and advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics, expanding reform and opening up, improving living standards and helping carry China’s socialist development into the 21st century.

He stressed that Jiang attached great importance to strengthening Party leadership and Party building as China’s reform and economic development advanced.

Xi said China must continue to uphold the overall leadership of the CPC and the centralised and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, while advancing full and rigorous Party self-governance.

Highlighting Jiang’s commitment to improving people’s livelihoods, Xi said development must remain people-centred and continue to promote common prosperity and the all-round development of the people.

Xi also praised Jiang’s role in promoting innovation in theory, institutions, science and technology, culture and other fields. He highlighted the Theory of Three Represents as an important contribution to the development of the CPC’s guiding ideology.

Jiang’s role in expanding China’s opening to the outside world, including leading the country’s accession to the World Trade Organization, was also emphasised.

Xi said Jiang had demonstrated long-term strategic thinking in both domestic and international affairs, including on the development of a multipolar world and economic globalisation.

Looking ahead, Xi called for the full implementation of China’s new development philosophy, accelerated efforts to create a new development pattern and further progress in high-quality development.

He also called for continued efforts to build a community with a shared future for humanity and to contribute more positive energy to global peace and development.

Xi further praised Jiang’s leadership during major periods of difficulty, including China’s response to the Asian financial crisis and the severe floods of 1998.

On China’s future development, Xi said the country must remain prepared to confront major risks and challenges, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, and continue advancing economic growth and long-term social stability.