China Marks 100th Anniversary of Jiang Zemin’s Birth with Grand Ceremony

Beijing held a grand ceremony on August 17 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jiang Zemin, former President of China and core leader of the Communist Party’s third generation of central leadership. President Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the event, honoring Jiang’s legacy and calling on the nation to learn from his example as China advances its modernization drive.

The ceremony, held at the Great Hall of the People, was jointly hosted by the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission. Approximately 6,000 people attended, including Politburo Standing Committee members Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, Vice President Han Zheng, and a wide array of current and former senior leaders, as reported by Xinhua News.

A Life of Service

Jiang Zemin, born August 17, 1926, in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, joined the Communist Party of China in April 1946. He served as Shanghai’s mayor and party secretary before being elected General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee in June 1989, forming the Party’s third generation of central leadership. During his tenure, he oversaw China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, the return of Hong Kong in 1997 and Macau in 1999, and the formulation of the “Three Represents” important thought.

In his speech, Xi Jinping paid tribute to Jiang’s contributions, describing his life as “a glorious life, a fighting life” dedicated to national independence, people’s liberation, and national prosperity. Xi noted that Jiang made “indelible contributions” to defending the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, opening up comprehensive reform, and successfully advancing socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century.

Five Qualities to Emulate

Xi Jinping’s speech systematically outlined five aspects of Jiang Zemin’s “noble conduct” that Party members and the nation should study: his rock-solid political conviction, sincere and profound feelings for the people, innovative spirit of keeping pace with the times, far-sighted strategic thinking, and resolute and courageous extraordinary courage.

Quoting Jiang’s own words, Xi recalled his unwavering commitment: “The fundamental political belief of us Communists is socialism and communism, and the worldview is Marxist dialectical materialism and historical materialism. This cannot be shaken at any time.” He also cited Jiang’s pledge to “dedicate myself wholeheartedly until my last breath” for the cause of the Party and the people.

The full text of Xi’s speech was published by Xinhua News, providing a comprehensive account of Jiang’s legacy and the current leadership’s assessment of his historical role.

Commemorative Activities

The anniversary was marked by multiple coordinated activities beyond the main ceremony. A symposium on Jiang Zemin’s life and thought was held in Beijing from August 17-19, with Politburo Standing Committee member Cai Qi delivering the opening speech. According to People’s Daily, Cai emphasized the need to deepen research on the “Three Represents” important thought and to carry forward Jiang’s glorious ideas and noble conduct.

Senior officials contributed articles on various aspects of Jiang’s legacy. Shi Taifeng, Director of the CPC Central Organization Department, wrote on Party building, noting that “the more reform and opening up and economic development, the more we must strengthen Party leadership and Party building,” as reported by People’s Daily.

Additional commemorative initiatives included the publication of “Selected Works on Jiang Zemin’s Diplomacy,” a 320,000-character volume containing 115 works from July 1989 to July 2003, some published for the first time. The People’s Daily reported that the book was compiled by the CPC Central Institute of Party History and Literature and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

China Post also issued a set of two commemorative stamps and one souvenir sheet to mark the occasion, featuring images of Jiang in Shanghai and at the 15th CPC National Congress, as well as on Tiananmen Rostrum waving to a parade crowd, according to People’s Daily.

Political Significance

The commemoration carries significant political weight in contemporary China. By honoring Jiang Zemin, the current leadership affirms the continuity of the Party’s revolutionary tradition and leadership succession. The emphasis on deepening research on the “Three Represents” important thought connects Jiang’s theoretical contributions with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, demonstrating the evolution of Marxist theory in the Chinese context.

Xi’s speech also set the political and ideological agenda for Party members going forward. He called on the whole Party, the military, and people of all ethnic groups to unite closely around the Party Central Committee, hold high the banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and strive unremittingly to advance the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-style modernization.

Looking Ahead

The ceremony and associated events underscore the Party’s commitment to historical continuity and theoretical development. As China continues its modernization drive under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the legacy of Jiang Zemin’s era—marked by economic reform, opening up, and global integration—remains a foundational reference point for the nation’s trajectory.

Observers will watch how the emphasis on Jiang’s legacy influences the ongoing development of Party doctrine and whether the commemorative activities signal a broader effort to consolidate historical narratives as China approaches key milestones in its development agenda.