People’s Daily Publishes Tribute Before Jiang Centenary Event
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
A memorial meeting marking the 100th anniversary of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin’s birth is scheduled for 10am at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where Xi Jinping is due to attend and deliver an important speech. On the eve of the event, People’s Daily carried a 6,400-word article on page five, written by the Chinese Communist Party History and Literature Research Institute, commemorating Jiang’s achievements and calling for continued struggle on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. State broadcaster CCTV also aired the final two episodes of a 12-part documentary on Jiang, revisiting his work on rural issues, poverty alleviation and the “Three Represents” theory. The official messaging links remembrance of Jiang’s legacy to current policy goals, including a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan and advancing national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.
Key Points
- The centenary memorial meeting is being held at 10am at the Great Hall of the People, with Xi Jinping attending and delivering a speech.
- People’s Daily published a 6,400-word page-five tribute by the Party History and Literature Research Institute praising Jiang’s achievements and political legacy.
- The article said Jiang became CCP general secretary in June 1989 and Central Military Commission chairman in November that year
- It credited Jiang’s leadership with opening a new phase of reform and modernization, and with weathering the Asian financial crisis and the 1998 floods
- CCTV’s documentary said Jiang made more than 150 inspection trips nationwide, revisited Hong Kong’s 1997 return, and highlighted his “Three Represents” thought
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the renewed focus on Jiang’s role in securing the 1997 handover places the city back inside a larger official narrative about sovereignty and national development. The pairing of historical commemoration with present-day calls to rally around Xi also shows how Beijing is using party history to reinforce political continuity ahead of the next planning cycle.