China Holds Memorial Ceremony for Former President Jiang Zemin with '3-Minute Silence'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Eunju Lee] A memorial service was held for the late Jiang Zemin, former President of China, who passed away on the 30th of last month.

On the 6th, jointly hosted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the State Council, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and the Central Military Commission, a memorial service for former President Jiang was held at 10 a.m. (local time) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. About 5,000 officials from the Party, government, and military attended.

At the start of the memorial service, citizens across China observed approximately three minutes of silence. During the moment of silence, all trading in China's stock, futures, foreign exchange, and other financial markets was suspended. President Xi Jinping, in his eulogy, praised former President Jiang Zemin for upholding reform and opening-up policies and strengthening ideological work as the top leader.

President Xi stated, "The Party and the people successfully stabilized the major phase of reform and development and laid a solid foundation for our country's progress," emphasizing that "reform and opening-up was a decisive move that determined China's fate at the time."

He continued, "We must ensure that the common prosperity of all people achieves more substantial progress," highlighting his goal to overcome issues such as the wealth gap during the reform and opening-up period.