Xi Jinping Reframes Jiang Zemin’s Legacy to Align with ‘New Era’ Ideology

In a speech delivered on August 17, Chinese President Xi Jinping commemorated the 100th anniversary of Jiang Zemin’s birth, portraying the late leader as a pivotal figure in the evolution of China’s political and economic systems. Rather than a mere tribute, Xi’s address served as a strategic reinterpretation of Jiang’s legacy, positioning it as a precursor to his own ‘new era for socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ proclaimed at the 19th Party Congress in 2017.

## Jiang as a Bridge to Xi’s ‘New Era’

Xi’s speech framed Jiang’s leadership as an indispensable link in the development of ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ from Mao Zedong’s era to the present. Highlighting Jiang’s political career-from joining the CCP in 1946 to becoming general secretary in 1989-Xi emphasized Jiang’s commitment to the party’s ‘basic theory, line, and strategy.’ This narrative portrays Jiang not as a symbol of past liberalization but as a loyal guardian of the CCP’s ideological and political foundations.

## Party Supremacy and Governance

A central theme of Xi’s address was Jiang’s unwavering belief in the supremacy of the CCP. Xi described Jiang as a staunch defender of Marxism, communism, and ‘socialism with Chinese characteristics,’ particularly during the late 1980s and early 1990s-a period marked by domestic and international challenges, including the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and the Taiwan Straits Crisis. Jiang’s response, according to Xi, reinforced the principle that ‘to govern the country, one must first govern the party, and governance must be strict.’ This lesson aligns with Xi’s own emphasis on party unity, discipline, and political control as prerequisites for economic modernization.

## Reform and Opening Up

Xi also affirmed Jiang’s legacy of ‘reform and opening up,’ praising his role in adapting China’s economy to a ‘socialist market’ model. Jiang’s policies, including encouraging foreign investment, promoting Chinese firms abroad, and securing China’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), were framed as evidence of his ‘innovative spirit’ rather than a deviation from Marxist-Leninist principles. Xi’s interpretation suggests that Jiang’s reforms were consistent with Mao’s ‘Sinification of Marxism,’ reinforcing the idea that Marxism must evolve to remain relevant in changing historical contexts.

## Strategic Opportunity vs. Security Challenges

The speech contrasted Jiang’s optimistic view of China’s ‘strategic opportunity’ during his tenure with Xi’s more cautious assessment of today’s global landscape. Under Jiang, the CCP established guidelines for seizing opportunities and promoting development. However, Xi argued that the current era of ‘great changes unseen in a century’ demands a stronger focus on security, with the party prioritizing ‘development and security’ as equally important. This shift reflects the CCP’s evolving view of the relationship between economic growth and national security, a theme underscored at the 20th Party Congress in 2022.

## Historical Continuity and Ideological Adaptation

Ultimately, Xi’s commemoration of Jiang was less about historical remembrance than about imposing continuity on the CCP’s post-Mao narrative. By portraying Jiang’s era as a necessary stepping-stone to the ‘new era,’ Xi absorbed Jiang into the prevailing ideological discourse, where the ‘reform era’ is recast as evidence of the CCP’s ability to adapt Marxism to Chinese realities. In this framing, Xi’s emphasis on control, ideological discipline, and security is not a retreat from reform but a ‘far-sighted’ adaptation to contemporary challenges.