Xi Jinping References Tiananmen, Says "Jiang Zemin Implemented Correct Policy Decisions"

Jiang Zemin's 100th Anniversary Commemoration

Praise for Tiananmen Response Highlights Efforts to Promote Party Unity

Chinese President Xi Jinping commented on the suppression of the 1989 Tiananmen pro-democracy movement, stating that "former President Jiang Zemin resolutely supported and implemented the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee's correct policy decisions." This is seen as an effort to underscore Jiang's political legacy and, in effect, to promote party unity.

During his speech at the "100th Anniversary Commemoration Conference for Former President Jiang Zemin" held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 17, 2026 (local time), President Xi referred to the Tiananmen protests as "a grave political storm that occurred in China in the spring and summer of 1989" and made these remarks.

Xi Jinping Speaking Yonhap News

In his speech, President Xi stated, "During the critical period from the late 1980s to the early 1990s, former President Jiang Zemin remained unwavering in prioritizing economic development." Jiang assumed power by becoming General Secretary of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee in June 1989, at the time of the Tiananmen Incident. He is regarded as having laid the foundation for China's economic growth by expanding market economy reforms and opening to the outside world throughout the 1990s, and by pushing for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

President Xi also highlighted the Chinese Communist Party's third-generation central leadership collective led by Jiang, saying it "steadfastly upheld the Party’s fundamental line" and "maintained and developed socialism with Chinese characteristics."

He further praised former President Jiang’s achievements in the return of Hong Kong and Macau and in opposing Taiwan independence. President Xi said that Jiang led the return of Hong Kong and Macau, and facilitated the agreement known as the '1992 Consensus,' which reflects the 'One China' principle between China and Taiwan.

He emphasized that "a vigorous and significant struggle was carried out against separatism and 'Taiwan independence,'" and assessed that Jiang "put forward a series of diplomatic and international strategic doctrines and promoted the development of global multipolarity and economic globalization in the right direction."

This makes Jiang the seventh Chinese leader to have a 100th anniversary commemoration conference held, following Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, and Chen Yun.

There is also speculation that the large-scale commemoration of Jiang Zemin’s 100th birthday is aimed at reinforcing intra-party unity and consolidating the power base ahead of the 5th Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (the 20th Fifth Plenary Session) scheduled for October.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.