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Chinese President Xi Jinping chaired a grand ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing Monday, marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of former leader Jiang Zemin — and using the occasion to reinforce his grip on the Communist Party ahead of next year’s major power reshuffle.
All seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee were present alongside a roster of retired state leaders. Former Premier Wen Jiabao, former Vice Presidents Wang Qishan and Zeng Qinghong — all attended. Former President Hu Jintao was notably absent, a fact observers did not overlook.
In his 40-minute speech, Xi praised Jiang for his contributions to the party and the country. In a striking moment, Xi referenced the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, describing it as a case where Jiang ‘implemented correct policy decisions’ in the face of what Xi called ‘a grave political storm.’ The characterization drew immediate international attention.
A large portrait of Jiang was displayed above the rostrum — a practice in Chinese political tradition reserved for leaders of the stature of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. The ceremony was moderated by Premier Li Qiang.
The timing of the event was not accidental. The 21st Party Congress is scheduled for autumn 2027, when Xi is expected to renew his leadership for a third five-year term. Analysts described the Jiang commemoration as a carefully staged show of party unity designed to project stability heading into the succession cycle.
Sources cited by the South China Morning Post indicate Beijing is also growing anxious about Xi’s planned state visit to Washington in mid-September. No U.S. official has yet taken ownership of organizing the summit, leaving Chinese preparations without a clear American counterpart. The Treasury Department and U.S. Trade Representative are expected to take the lead, while the State Department has so far remained largely uninvolved.
The uncertainty over the Xi-Trump summit comes at a sensitive moment. Trade tensions between the two countries remain elevated, and Beijing is watching Washington’s handling of the Hormuz standoff closely. For Xi, who has carefully cultivated an image of domestic stability, arriving in Washington without a prepared deliverables package would be a diplomatic liability.
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