China Invokes Jiang's Legacy to Rally Behind Xi

The Communist Party of China has invoked the legacy of former leader Jiang Zemin in a call to rally around Xi Jinping's leadership. A series of events have been held to commemorate Jiang's centenary, including a grand ceremony in Beijing where Xi gave a speech.

The ceremony, held at the Great Hall of the People, was attended by thousands of officials and delegates from various sectors. Xi's speech highlighted Jiang's contribution to the party and the country. This move comes ahead of a key party meeting in October, which will be a crucial event in the run-up to next year's party congress.

In addition to the ceremony, a 12-part television documentary has been produced to commemorate Jiang's legacy. Commemorative postage stamps have also been issued to mark his centenary. A symposium will be held to discuss Jiang's thinking on defence, further solidifying his impact on the party's ideology.

The invocation of Jiang's legacy is seen as a call for unity and solidarity within the party. An article in the People's Daily stressed the importance of unity when navigating 'rough waters', citing Jiang's leadership during international emergencies and natural disasters. The article also called for the country to 'accelerate' efforts to boost its technological self-reliance, a key aspect of Beijing's efforts to cement its position in the global hi-tech supply chain.

## Why it matters The commemoration of Jiang's legacy and the call for unity come at a critical time for the Communist Party of China. Next year's party congress is likely to see an extensive overhaul of the leadership team, making the upcoming months a key period for Beijing's efforts to shape its future. The party's ability to rally behind Xi's leadership will be crucial in determining the country's trajectory, both domestically and internationally.

The use of Jiang's legacy to rally the party is not unprecedented. Beijing often uses such events to draw inspiration from its elder statesmen and promote unity within the party. However, the timing and scale of the current commemoration suggest a concerted effort to bolster Xi's leadership ahead of the key party meeting in October.

## What happens next The key party meeting in October will be closely watched as a indicator of the party's direction and Xi's position within it. The meeting will set the stage for next year's party congress, where the leadership team is likely to be overhauled. The outcome of these events will have significant implications for China's domestic and foreign policy, as well as its position in the global hi-tech supply chain.