Beijing Convenes Symposium on Jiang Zemin's Life and Thought

Chinese authorities opened a three-day symposium in Beijing on August 17 to examine the life and theoretical contributions of former paramount leader Jiang Zemin on the centenary of his birth. Cai Qi, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, delivered the keynote address, calling on cadres and scholars to study Jiang's 'Three Represents' theory through the lens of contemporary governance and General Secretary Xi Jinping's recent guidance. The event brought together approximately 500 officials, military leaders, and academic researchers across top institutional bodies.

The symposium demonstrates how the Chinese Communist Party uses historical centennial observances to reinforce ideological continuity. By reinterpreting Jiang Zemin's 'Three Represents' within the framework of current priorities—such as centralized leadership and Chinese modernization—the leadership seeks to unify theoretical consensus across Party, state, and military institutions.

BEIJING — A three-day symposium on the life and thought of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin opened in Beijing on August 17, marking the centenary of his birth, according to state media reports. Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, attended the opening session and delivered a keynote address. Cai emphasized the imperative to thoroughly study and implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's speech delivered at the central commemorative gathering marking Jiang's 100th birth anniversary. In his speech, Cai stated that researchers and officials must carry forward Jiang's ideological legacy while deepening research into the 'Three Represents' theory under contemporary conditions. Cai outlined key priorities for this theoretical work, urging deeper comprehension of centralized Party leadership, the 'Two Establishes' and 'Two Upholds,' socialist modernization, people-centered economic development, cultural confidence, and comprehensive strict Party governance. The opening ceremony was hosted by Li Shulei, a member of the Politburo and head of the CPC Central Committee's Publicity Department. Speeches were delivered by Politburo member and Central Organization Department head Shi Taifeng, Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Shengmin, Institute of Party History and Literature head Qu Qingshan, and Jiangsu Provincial Party Secretary Xin Changxing. Approximately 500 participants attended the event, including senior department officials, experts, and academic scholars. Peng Qinghua, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Wang Dongfeng, Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, were also present. The symposium was jointly organized by six leading institutions: the Central Publicity Department, the Party School of the Central Committee (National Academy of Governance), the Institute of Party History and Literature, the Ministry of Education, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and the Political Work Department of the Central Military Commission.