Xi invokes Jiang legacy to stress unity
SCMP · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
President Xi Jinping delivered a roughly 40-minute speech at a grand gathering in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of former leader Jiang Zemin’s birth. Xi said officials should learn from Jiang’s extraordinary courage and vision, praising his decisions at key historical moments and his calm response to major risks and challenges. He cited Jiang’s role in advancing reform and opening up, socialist modernization, and China’s response to the Asian financial crisis and the 1998 floods. Commentary in Hong Kong also viewed the tribute as reinforcing party unity, policy continuity and confidence in China’s reform path ahead of an important political year and amid rivalry with the United States
Key Points
- Xi spoke on Monday in Beijing as Communist Party general secretary and Central Military Commission chairman at a grand centenary gathering for Jiang Zemin
- The ceremony was held in the Great Hall of the People, where Xi led officials and delegates from various sectors in commemorating Jiang
- Xi said Jiang made resolute decisions at critical historical junctures and responded calmly to risks, helping sustain reform, opening up and modernization
- Among the examples cited were China’s successful response to the Asian financial crisis and victory against the severe 1998 floods
- A South China Morning Post editorial said the tribute also underscored party unity and continuity before the Communist Party’s 21st national congress and during US-China rivalry
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, Xi’s emphasis on continuity in reform and strong party unity offers a clearer reading of Beijing’s political messaging as the next leadership cycle approaches. The focus on sovereignty, security and development interests also matters because Hong Kong closely tracks how central policy priorities shape the wider national agenda and external posture