Sirens rang out in China on Tuesday and a three-minute silence was observed in honor of former President Jiang Zemin, who died at the age of 96 and was hailed as a patriot who “dedicated his life” to the Chinese people.
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On this day of national mourning, the police took care to avoid any large gatherings after the wave of demonstrations against health restrictions.
The commemoration ceremony, which was televised live, then began at the People’s Palace in Beijing with a speech by President Xi Jinping.
“He devoted his whole life and energy to the Chinese people, the struggle for national independence, the people’s liberation, national prosperity and the people’s happiness,” the leader assured a gathering of senior Chinese dignitaries. , all masked.
In the front row, Wang Yeping, Jiang Zemin’s widow, sat in her wheelchair.
While the authorities have recently faced a protest movement of unprecedented proportions since the pro-democracy Tiananmen Square mobilizations of 1989, the figure of Jiang Zemin seems unifying: the architect of China’s arrival on the world stage, he is also the 1989 was able to ensure calm in Shanghai.
After that episode, he took power and oversaw the transformation of the world’s most populous nation into a world power, which he led until 2003.
He died of leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai on November 30, according to state media.
His body was cremated in Beijing on Monday in a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping and other top leaders, according to state-run Xinhua news agency.
Also present, according to the same source, was former President Hu Jintao, whose abrupt departure from the People’s Palace during the party congress in October drew international attention.
Flags at half mast
Flags are flown at half-mast throughout the day and recreational activities are suspended, as are some online video games such as the popular League of Legends, which has announced a day off.
In Yangzhou (south), Jiang Zemin’s hometown, a hundred people gathered in front of his former residence to observe a minute’s silence before being dispersed by police.
The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges suspended their listings for the three minutes, while the Hong Kong Stock Exchange continued trading and suspended its display screens for three minutes.
Hundreds of boats sounded their sirens for three minutes in Hong Kong harbor.
Popular with younger generations of Chinese, Jiang Zemin divides the populace about his heritage.
He is accused of failing to address the problems caused by China’s economic leap, such as corruption, inequality, environmental impact and layoffs due to government industrial reforms.
The repression of political activists has also intensified under his tenure.
“A More Tolerant Era”
“The Jiang era, even if it wasn’t the most prosperous, was more tolerant,” asserted a user of the social network Weibo, the Twitter counterpart in China.
“I’ve heard a lot of criticism from him, but the fact that he’s allowed critical voices shows how commendable he is,” he added, as authorities are now tracking down protesters against anti-Covid restrictions.
His remains were flown to Beijing last Thursday. According to recordings by state broadcaster CCTV, Xi Jinping was present when he arrived.
Wearing a black armband and a white flower on their jackets, the Chinese President and other senior leaders bowed in a coordinated manner as Mr. Jiang’s remains were lowered from the plane, his thick-rimmed glasses visible through his glass coffin.
Since his retirement, Jiang Zemin has been looked at fondly by his admirers in China’s younger generations, who dubbed themselves the “Toad Followers,” fascinated by his Batrachian countenance and eccentric mannerisms.
On Weibo, many netizens commented on his death, calling him “Grandpa Jiang.”