Former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin is most recognized for playing a crucial part in the Communist Party of China’s triumph (CPC). From 1989 to 2002, he held the position of party general secretary. He has also held the position of chairman of the “Central Military Commission.” From 1993 to 2003, he also served as president of the “People’s Republic of China.” Jiang’s rise to political prominence as a “compromise candidate” came as a surprise. Following the 1989 “Tiananmen Square” protests, he gained notoriety. Zhao Ziyang, the general secretary at the time, was removed for his backing of the student movement. Jiang quickly seized his place, and in the years that followed, he demonstrated his political leadership prowess and evolved into a “paramount leader.” Under his effective leadership, the country expanded quickly on both the social and economic fronts. Even though he left his position as general secretary of the “CPC” in 2002, he continued to have an impact on the party’s operations for a very long time. He is currently the oldest surviving former president or general secretary at the age of 91.
Early Childhood & Life
On August 17, 1926, Jiang Zemin was born in Yangzhou, Jiangsu. His ancestors came from Jiangwan, a Chinese region that was also the residence of some well-known Chinese officials and scholars. Jiang was born immediately following the First World War, at the height of the Japanese control of China. His uncle, who was also his foster father, served in the Chinese army and, after passing away in the Second World War, was hailed as a national hero.
Jiang Shijun, the father of Zemin, was employed by the puppet Japanese government of Nanking in the regime’s public relations division. Shijun severed all links with his family a result of which Zemin’s uncle took care of him. Zemin and his family went through difficult times after the loss of his uncle during the Second World War. Despite being wealthy, his father Shijun never offered to assist.
Zemin began studying electrical engineering at Nanjing’s “National Central University” before transferring to “National Chiao Tung University.” His electrical engineering bachelor’s degree was ultimately awarded to him in 1947.
His interest in politics intensified while he was in college, and he is rumored to have joined the “CPC” during that time. He was trained in the Moscow “Stalin Automobile Works.” He changed posts frequently until being appointed as the “Minister of Electric Industries” to the “Central Committee of the Communist Party” in 1983.
He was given the opportunity to become the “Mayor” of Shanghai, one of the busiest metropolitan areas in China, in the middle of the 1980s. At the time, his rule was viewed as extremely fragile. His detractors thought that although appearing useful, he was really an “empty vessel.”
Jiang was regarded as an outstanding orator who was fluent in numerous foreign languages, including Russian, Romanian, and English, despite having a turbulent early political career. These abilities contributed to his popularity among foreign delegations and celebrities who came to China.
Advancement into National Politics
When Jiang Zemin was given a seat in the “Politburo” of the “CPC Central Committee” in 1987, he first entered the field of national politics. His seat was reserved for the “Party Secretary” of Shanghai, therefore he had to take it rather than earn it. In Tiananmen Square, violent protests soon erupted, and the central leadership was unsure how to handle the demonstrators.
Zhao Ziyang, the party’s general secretary, had liberal leanings. He did not adhere to the CPC’s guiding principles. He felt sorry for the protesters. Party leader Deng Xiaoping was forced to look for a replacement as a result. Jiang had taken the extremely bold decision to close the journal “World Economic Herald.” When Deng became aware of this, Jiang—who at the time was the “Shanghai Party Secretary”—was appointed the general secretary of the “CPC.”
Jiang was awarded the top spot in the party hierarchy, but he was not given enough authority. Over time, he gained the elders’ respect inside the party and became a vocal opponent of liberalization. He asserted that modernization and economic reforms were necessary for the “CPC” to keep control of the nation.
Jiang created a “socialist market economy” in 1993, which was a stride from the country’s pre-existing socialist economy toward a government-regulated capitalist market economy. This was the year of China’s economic reforms. He gained Deng’s trust and weakened the “Central Advisory Committee” with his wise policies. He ran in the 1993 “Presidency” elections.
He was elected as the fifth leader of the “Republic of China” in March 1993. Following the economic changes in the 1990s, the nation saw numerous problems with corruption and unfair income distribution. It also contributed to the country’s rising unemployment rate. The entire nation was in danger of disintegrating as a result of the massive migration of people from rural to urban areas.
In an effort to change the trajectory of events, Jiang launched measures in 1996 that helped to stabilize China. He took advantage of the media, which was mostly under governmental control. He also conducted interviews with international media outlets and continued to put a stop to practically all of his political rivals’ operations. This aided in his total takeover of the nation, and Deng Xiaoping’s passing strengthened his authority.
He handed over the country’s economic management to his close ally Zhu Rongji because he was well aware of the need for a powerful economic wave in the nation. Together, they navigated the 1997 Asian financial crisis. But over time, China developed into a powerful economic power and maintained an annual GDP growth of 8%, finally becoming as one of the world’s economies with the quickest rate of expansion.
In terms of per-capita income growth, China ultimately overtook the United States, which further prompted questions due to its brisk progress. China’s rapid development contributed to its emergence as a powerhouse in less than two decades. As a result of joining the “World Trade Organization” and winning the bid to host the 2008 “Olympic Games” in Beijing, China significantly solidified its position in the international community.
Jiang finally resigned as the general secretary of the “CPC” in 2002, but he continued to serve as the “Central Military Commission’s” chairman. He also left that position in September 2004, ceding all of his official authority inside the party. He continued to be an important player and the party’s new leadership’s counselor, nevertheless.
Jiang has a checkered past in Chinese politics. During his time serving as the party’s president and general secretary, he was accused of corruption and ineptitude on numerous occasions. Due to the swiftly implemented economic changes, Jiang’s presidency has also seen a great deal of turbulence.
Individual Life of Jiang Zemin
In 1949, Jiang Zemin wed Wang Yeping. Jiang Mianheng and Jiang Miankang are the couple’s two sons.
Jiang Zemin’s Net Worth
Jiang is among the wealthiest and most well-liked world leaders. Jiang Zemin’s net worth is roughly $1.5 million, according to our analysis of data from sources like Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.