zhōng guó中国jì niàn纪念jiāng zé mín江泽民dàn chén诞辰yì bǎi一百zhōu nián周年
China held a meeting to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of former leader Jiang Zemin.
Xi Jinping delivered a speech of more than 40 minutes, highly praising Jiang Zemin.
He said that Jiang Zemin promoted economic development and reform and opening up, helped China establish a socialist market economy, and led China into the World Trade Organization.
Xi Jinping also mentioned the political events of 1989, saying that Jiang Zemin supported the central authorities' decision and maintained stability in Shanghai.
Chinese television stations also aired documentaries introducing how Jiang Zemin rose from a leader in Shanghai to become general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.
Some scholars believe that this commemoration is not only a review of Jiang Zemin's life, but is also related to current politics.
They believe that Xi Jinping hopes to use Jiang Zemin's image to strengthen support within the Party and to show that, when facing political challenges, China's leadership has always attached importance to social stability and central authority.