Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin dies aged 96
He was president of China from 1993 to 2003 and came to power following the Tiananmen Square protests.
Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin has died aged 96, state media has reported.
Jiang took power in the aftermath of the Tiananmen Square crackdown and led the world’s most populous nation towards its emergence as a powerhouse on the global stage.
“Jiang Zemin passed away due to leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai at 12.13pm on November 30, 2022, at the age of 96, it was announced on Wednesday,” the Xinhua news agency reported.
When Jiang replaced Deng Xiaoping as leader in 1989, China was still in the early stages of economic modernisation.
By the time he retired as president in 2003, China was a member of the World Trade Organization, Beijing had secured the 2008 Olympics, and the country was well on its way to superpower status.
Analysts say Jiang and his “Shanghai Gang” faction continued to exert influence over communist politics long after he left the top job.
He is survived by his wife Wang Yeping and two sons
More to come.
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