Global Impact: Xi Jinping urges China to ‘write a new chapter of socialism with Chinese characteristics’ after Jiang Zemin’s death

Global Impact is a fortnightly curated newsletter featuring a news topic originating in China with a significant macro impact for our newsreaders around the world

In this edition, we look back at the life and achievements of former Chinese president Jiang Zemin, and ahead to what the future holds for China

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Former president Jiang Zemin died in Shanghai at the end of last month, aged 96. Photo: AP

Published: 2:00pm, 12 Dec 2022Updated: 2:16pm, 12 Dec 2022

The state funeral of former president Jiang Zemin marked the end of an era and the turning of a new page in Chinese politics.

President Xi Jinping heaped praise on his predecessor for his statesmanship, upholding socialism and defending the Communist cause, while also pressing ahead with reform and opening up in the aftermath of Beijing’s crackdown on a pro-democracy movement.

“Comrade Jiang Zemin, who is sincerely loved by the whole party, the army and the people of all ethnicities, will live forever,” Xi said in his eulogy at the funeral attended by thousands at the Great Hall of the People.

Jiang, who died last month in Shanghai at the age of 96, was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing. The cremation ceremony was attended by Xi and other top leaders, including Jiang’s immediate successor, Hu Jintao.

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Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin dies at the age of 96

The funerary events - held at a sensitive time when anti-Covid controls protests have erupted across the country - were comparable to those for late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping 25 years ago, who was widely hailed as the main architect of China’s reform enterprise.

The day of the memorial was a day of mourning across China. Flags at official buildings and embassies were lowered to half-mast, and financial trading was suspended for three minutes when the funeral was held. In Hong Kong, government officials, lawmakers, civil servants and the public also paid their respect to the former president, who presided over the handover ceremony of the territory in 1997.