On Wednesday, former Chinese President Jiang Zemin has passed away at the age of 96 from leukemia and multiple organ failure, according to Chinese state media.
“Comrade Jiang Zemin’s death is an incalculable loss to our Party and our military and our people of all ethnic groups.”
– Announcement by the Chinese Communist Party
Jiang served as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 1989 to 2002, as chairman of the Central Military Commission from 1989 to 2004, and as president of China from 1993 to 2003.
Jiang came into power following the Tiananmen protests of 1989. During his time, China made major market reforms, Hong Kong returned from British rule and China joined the World Trade Organization.
