Xi Jinping Leads Centenary Commemoration for Late Leader Jiang Zemin

President Xi Jinping led a grand commemoration gathering at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 17, 2026, to mark the birth centenary of late leader Jiang Zemin. Speaking before approximately 6,000 attendees, including top members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Standing Committee, Xi delivered a 40-minute speech praising Jiang's "indelible contributions" to socialism with Chinese characteristics and his role as the founder of the Theory of Three Represents.

Xi highlighted Jiang's leadership during the Asian financial crisis, the 1998 floods, and China's accession to the World Trade Organization. He urged the party to emulate Jiang's political conviction and loyalty while emphasizing the necessity of maintaining the centralized leadership of the CPC Central Committee to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure high-quality development. Xi also warned party members to remain vigilant against "potential dangers" and "major tests" on the current political journey.

The event followed the recent death of former Premier Zhu Rongji, Jiang's longtime governance partner. While the gathering included former officials Wen Jiabao and Wang Qishan, former President Hu Jintao was notably absent from state media footage. The centenary was further marked by a state-aired documentary, the issuance of commemorative coins by the People's Bank of China, and special stamps from China Post.

Following the main gathering, the CPC convened a three-day symposium in Beijing. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau, opened the event by urging 500 officials and scholars to deepen their research on the Theory of Three Represents and adapt Marxism to the modern Chinese context.