China begins commemorations for Jiang Zemin centenary

China has commenced a series of high-level commemorations to mark the centenary of former President Jiang Zemin’s birth. As part of the program, state broadcaster CCTV began airing a 12-part documentary titled ‘Jiang Zemin’ during prime-time slots. The series, produced in collaboration with the Communist Party’s Central Publicity Department and the Institute of Party History and Literature, reviews Jiang’s political career, including his roles in the electronics industry, the development of special economic zones, and his leadership in Shanghai.

The commemorations are expected to culminate on August 17 with a grand ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. President Xi Jinping is expected to preside over the event, which is anticipated to be attended by the highest echelons of the Chinese leadership, including members of the Politburo, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, and the Central Military Commission. Jiang is only the seventh leader in the history of the Communist Party to receive such top-tier commemorative honors.