Sirens sounded in China on Tuesday and a three-minute silence was observed in tribute to former President Jiang Zemin, who died at the age of 96 and hailed as a patriot who “devoted his life” to the Chinese people.
On this day of national mourning, the police made sure to avoid any large gathering, after the wave of demonstrations against health restrictions.
The commemorative ceremony, broadcast live on television, 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, to the struggle for national independence, people’s liberation, national prosperity and people’s happiness,” the leader told a gathering of senior dignitaries. Chinese, all masked.
In the front row was Jiang Zemin’s widow, Wang Yeping, in her wheelchair.
While the authorities have recently faced a protest movement on an unprecedented scale since the pro-democracy mobilizations of Tiananmen in 1989, the figure of Jiang Zemin seems to unite: the architect of China’s arrival on the world stage, he is also the one who was able to restore calm in Shanghai in 1989.
He took power following this episode, accompanying the transformation of the most populous nation on the planet into a world power, which he led until 2003.
He died Nov. 30 in Shanghai from leukemia and multiple organ failure, according to state media.
His body was cremated in Beijing on Monday, in a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders, according to the state-run Xinhua News Agency. Former President Hu Jintao – whose abrupt exit from the People’s Palace in October during the party congress drew international attention – was also present, according to the same source.
Flags at half mast
All day, the flags were at half mast and recreational activities suspended, as well as some online video games, such as the popular League of Legendswhich announced a day off.
In Yangzhou, Jiang Zemin’s hometown, about 100 people gathered outside his former residence to observe the moment of silence, before being dispersed by police.
The Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges suspended trading for three minutes, with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange continuing to trade, but suspending their display on screens for three minutes.
In the port of Hong Kong, hundreds of boats sounded their sirens for three minutes.
Popular with younger generations of Chinese, Jiang Zemin divides the population as to his heritage. He is accused of failing to address the problems generated by China’s economic leap, such as corruption, inequality, environmental impact and layoffs due to state industry reforms.
Under his mandate, the repression of political activists has also become more ferocious.
“A more tolerant era”
“The Jiang era, even if it was not the most prosperous, was more tolerant”, however assured a user on the social network Weibo, equivalent of Twitter in China.
“I have heard a lot of criticism from him, but the fact that he has allowed the existence of critical voices shows how praiseworthy he is,” he added, as authorities now hunt down participants in protests against anti-COVID restrictions.
Last Thursday, his remains were flown to Beijing. Xi Jinping was present when he arrived, according to footage from state broadcaster CCTV.
With a black armband and a white flower pinned to their jackets, the Chinese president and other senior leaders bowed in coordination as Mr. Jiang’s remains were descended from the plane, his thick-rimmed glasses visible through his glass coffin.
Ever since he retired, Jiang Zemin had been fondly viewed by his fans in the younger generations of China, who called themselves “toad devotees”, fascinated by his batrachian-like countenance and eccentric mannerisms.
On Weibo, many netizens commented on his passing, calling him “Grandpa Jiang.”