China’s former president Jiang Zemin was cremated right here on Monday within the presence of the highest leaders of the ruling Communist Get together of China (CPC) together with President Xi Jinping.

Jiang, who had leukemia, died of a number of organ failure on November 30 in Shanghai on the age of 96. His physique was flown right here by a particular flight final week from Shanghai. Xi and different leaders acquired the physique in Beijing.

The stays of Jiang had been cremated on the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in western Beijing on Monday, state-run Xinhua information company reported.

President Xi and different leaders of the Communist Get together of China and the state paid their respects to Comrade Jiang on the Chinese language PLA Common Hospital earlier than escorting Jiang’s physique to the cemetery for cremation, the report stated.

A memorial assembly to commemorate his life and achievements can be held on the Nice Corridor of Folks, the enduring constructing overlooking the sprawling Tiananmen sq. right here on December 6 at 10 am native time.

High leaders heading varied organs of the CPC and the army pays their respects.

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Jiang’s demise comes as China sees a few of its most critical protests because the 1989 Tiananmen Sq. pro-democracy demonstrations, with many protesting towards harsh Covid restrictions within the nation.

Whereas Jiang was extensively acclaimed for his management after Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, the 2 iconic leaders of the CPC, the deceased chief was credited with main China out of isolation from the ignominy of the Chinese language army, crushing the Tiananmen Sq. pro-democracy protests.

He was additionally credited with placing China on a sustained path of financial improvement, laying the muse to emerge because the second-largest economic system on this planet.

Jiang was on the verge of retirement as Shanghai get together chief in 1989 when he was drafted by then-paramount chief chief Deng to drag collectively the get together and nation. He succeeded Zhao Ziyang, who was dismissed by Deng as a result of his sympathy for the student-led Tiananmen Sq. protesters and was held beneath home arrest till his 2005 demise.

In 13 years as get together normal secretary, China’s strongest publish, Jiang guided the nation’s rise to financial energy by welcoming capitalists into the ruling get together and pulling in overseas funding after China joined the WTO. China handed Germany after which Japan to develop into the second-largest economic system after america.

Jiang gave up his final official title in 2004 however remained a pressure behind the scenes within the wrangling that led to the rise of present President Xi, who took energy in 2012.