Jiang Zemin’s 100th Birthday Commemoration – Xi Jinping Emphasizes Centralized and Unified Leadership

The conference commemorating the 100th anniversary of Jiang Zemin’s birth was held on the morning of the 17th at the Great Hall of the People. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the country, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference and delivered a speech.

In the past, only six deceased leaders—Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, and Chen Yun—had such top-level commemorative conferences. Jiang Zemin is the seventh.

In 1993, Jiang Zemin officially took office as President of China, becoming the country’s leader to assume the top three positions of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission.

The conference was presided over by Premier Li Qiang, with all current Politburo Standing Committee members present. In addition, the event brought together several retired Party and state leaders, including Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zeng Qinghong, and Wang Qishan, who were rarely seen together. Former President Hu Jintao was absent.

In his speech, Xi Jinping strongly emphasized the need to uphold the “overall leadership of the Party” and the “centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee,” advance “full and rigorous governance over the Party,” and ensure that the CCP always remains the “strong leading core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

1989 “Serious Political Turmoil” – Maintained Stability in Shanghai

Xi Jinping first reviewed Jiang Zemin’s life and political career. He stated that during Jiang’s tenure as a member of the CPC Politburo and Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee, during the “serious political turmoil” in the spring and summer of 1989 (referring to the Tiananmen Square Incident), Jiang “firmly supported and implemented” the “correct decisions” of the CPC Central Committee and made a strong contribution to maintaining stability in Shanghai.

Xi Jinping said that at the 4th Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee in June 1989, Jiang Zemin was elected to the Politburo Standing Committee and became General Secretary. At the 5th Plenary Session of the 13th Central Committee in November of the same year, it was decided that he would serve as Chairman of the Central Military Commission. The CCP thus formed the “third generation central leadership collective with Comrade Jiang Zemin as the core.”

As for Jiang Zemin’s achievements, Xi Jinping gave him the appraisal of “an outstanding leader acknowledged by the entire Party, the military, and the people of all ethnic groups nationwide, a great Marxist, a great proletarian revolutionary, politician, military strategist, diplomat, a tried and tested communist fighter, an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the core of the third generation collective leadership of the Party, and the main creator of the Important Thought of the 'Three Represents.'”

Engaged in Diplomatic Struggles – Firmly Maintained China’s Interests

Xi Jinping said that when faced with great challenges—from the changing international landscape at the end of the 1980s to the “serious political turmoil” at home—Jiang Zemin unwaveringly insisted on putting “economic development” at the center, upheld the “Four Cardinal Principles,” persisted in reform and opening up, initiated economic adjustment, engaged in diplomatic struggles, and resolutely safeguarded China’s independence, dignity, security, and stability.

Xi Jinping stressed the need to uphold the “overall leadership of the Party” and the “centralized and unified leadership of the Central Committee,” and to consistently promote “full and rigorous governance over the Party,” ensuring that “the Party always remains the strong leading core for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

Xi Jinping especially praised Jiang Zemin for leading Hong Kong and Macao’s smooth return during his tenure, as well as his historic contributions in carrying out major struggles against “Taiwan independence.”

Xi Jinping pointed out that Jiang Zemin was forward-looking, assessed situations accurately, and led the successful return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland. He pushed both sides of the Taiwan Strait to reach the “1992 Consensus” reflecting the One-China principle, and forcefully waged major struggles against separatism and “Taiwan independence.” In foreign affairs and the military, he also advanced military reform with Chinese characteristics and promoted the development of a multipolar world.

Voluntarily Stepped Down – Supported Anti-Corruption

Speaking of historical developments, Xi Jinping pointed out that Jiang Zemin twice voluntarily proposed resignation from Party leadership and the chairmanship of the Central Military Commission at the Party’s 16th Congress and in 2004; after stepping down, he steadfastly supported efforts to improve Party conduct and fight corruption.