A grand commemorative conference marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin was solemnly held in Beijing.
Xi Jinping delivered an important speech.

2026-08-17 Source: “Study in China” Learning Platform

A grand commemorative conference marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin was solemnly held in Beijing.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech, highly commending Comrade Jiang Zemin for the immortal contributions he made to the Party and the people, and called on all to study deeply his noble style and exemplary conduct, so as to continuously advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Li Qiang presided; Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, and Han Zheng attended.

On the morning of August 17, the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission solemnly convened a grand meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin, a great Marxist, a towering proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, and diplomat, as well as an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xiang.

BEIJING, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) — This morning, the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission solemnly convened a grand meeting at the Great Hall of the People to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin, a great Marxist, a towering proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, and diplomat, as well as an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People’s Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivered an important speech, emphasizing that we should deeply cherish the remarkable achievements of Comrade Jiang Zemin, thoroughly study his noble moral character and exemplary conduct, and inspire all Party members and people of all ethnic groups across the country to continuously advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, along with Vice President Han Zheng, attended the conference.

On the morning of August 17, the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission solemnly convened a grand meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin, a great Marxist, a towering proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, and diplomat, and an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng, and others attended the ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xie Huanchi.

The Great Hall of the People was filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere. Above the rostrum hung the banner reading “Conference Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin,” while at the center of the backdrop stood a large portrait of Comrade Jiang Zemin, beneath which was the inscription “1926–2026.” On the second-floor balcony, a slogan proclaimed: “Closely unite around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic policy, and strive tirelessly to advance the cause of national rejuvenation and the building of a strong country through the comprehensive modernization of China!”

At 10:00 a.m., the conference commenced to the stirring sounds of the national anthem.

On the morning of August 17, the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission solemnly convened a grand meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin, a great Marxist, a towering proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, and diplomat, as well as an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Yue Yuewei.

Xi Jinping delivered an important speech. He pointed out that Comrade Jiang Zemin led a life of brilliance and unwavering dedication, devoting himself wholeheartedly to the cause of national independence, people’s liberation, and the pursuit of national prosperity and the well-being of the people. Under his leadership, remarkable new progress was made in advancing socialist material, political, and spiritual civilization, as well as in Party building—achievements that have drawn worldwide attention. He made indelible contributions to safeguarding the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, opening up a new phase of comprehensive reform and opening-up, achieving overall moderate prosperity for the people, and successfully guiding socialism with Chinese characteristics into the 21st century. His outstanding contributions have earned him the heartfelt admiration of the entire Party, the armed forces, and all the peoples of China, as well as widespread acclaim from the international community.

Xi Jinping emphasized that, over more than 70 years of revolutionary service—particularly in the great practice following the Fourth Plenary Session of the 13th CPC Central Committee, which propelled the Party and the country to achieve tremendous accomplishments—Comrade Jiang Zemin fully demonstrated the outstanding political acumen, pivotal role, and masterful leadership of a Marxist statesman, thereby setting an exemplary moral standard that will forever inspire us to learn from him and propel us forward.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Comrade Jiang Zemin remained steadfast in his communist ideals, demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the Party and the people, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause of the Party and the people. We must learn from his rock‑solid political conviction, stay true to our original aspiration and keep our mission firmly in mind, strengthen our faith in Marxism, our belief in communism, and our confidence in socialism with Chinese characteristics, uphold the Party’s basic theory, basic line, and basic policy, and consciously enhance our “four consciousnesses,” fortify our “four confidences,” and ensure “two safeguards.” We must uphold the Party’s overall leadership and the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee, persistently advance comprehensive and strict Party self‑governance, and ensure that the Party always remains the strong leadership core of the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Xi Jinping emphasized that Comrade Jiang Zemin always stood firmly on the people’s side, cared deeply about their safety and well-being, and guided and advanced his work in the fundamental interests of the broadest masses. We must learn from his sincere and profound commitment to the people, bear in mind that the country belongs to the people and the people are the country, uphold the development philosophy centered on the people, foster and practice a correct view of political achievements, remain steadfastly committed to the people’s standpoint, strengthen our sense of public service, follow the Party’s mass line in the new era, rely on the people to create great historical achievements, and take solid steps toward the all-round development of individuals and the common prosperity of all the people.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Comrade Jiang Zemin steadfastly upheld the principles of emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts, and advancing with the times. He responded to the demands of the times and the needs of practical development, continuously promoting innovation in theory, institutions, science and technology, culture, and all other fields. We must learn from his spirit of innovation, keeping pace with the times, and remain committed to integrating the fundamental tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the fine traditions of Chinese culture, thereby constantly opening up new horizons for the sinicization and modernization of Marxism. We must further comprehensively deepen reform and opening up, advance the modernization of the national governance system and governance capacity, unleash the creative vitality of the entire Party and society, and inject a continuous stream of momentum into economic and social development.

Xi Jinping emphasized that Comrade Jiang Zemin possessed far-sighted vision and a keen sense of the times, adept at observing and thinking about issues from the overarching trends of China’s and the world’s development and from the overall work of the Party and the country. Through a series of major decisions and important initiatives oriented toward the world and focused on the future, he advanced the cause of the Party and the country. We must learn from his strategic thinking—marked by profound foresight and meticulous planning—by coordinating the strategic overall situation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the unprecedented changes in the world over the past century; by taking a holistic view of the great struggle, the great project, the great cause, and the great dream; by advancing the “five-sphere integrated plan” in a coordinated manner and promoting the “four-pronged comprehensive strategy” in a balanced way; by fully, accurately, and comprehensively implementing the new development philosophy; by accelerating the establishment of a new development paradigm; and by steadily advancing high-quality development. We should work to implement the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative, and the Global Governance Initiative, promote the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and inject more positive energy into world peace and development.

Xi Jinping pointed out that Comrade Jiang Zemin courageously made decisive decisions at critical historical junctures and pivotal moments, responded with composure to risks and challenges, and resolutely overcame formidable obstacles, thereby opening up vast prospects and fostering a favorable environment for modernization. We must learn from his extraordinary boldness and unwavering resolve, strengthen our sense of potential danger, adopt bottom-line thinking, and better balance development and security. With tenacious fighting spirit and superb capabilities, we should proactively meet the major tests posed by turbulent winds and towering waves, even the most daunting storms, firmly safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and writing a new chapter in the twin miracles of rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.

Xi Jinping emphasized that, through sustained efforts, the cause of the Party and the country has flourished, the land of China enjoys stability and harmony, and the people’s lives have continued to improve. The bright prospect of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is now within reach, and the dream cherished by generations of Chinese people is steadily becoming a reality. All members of the Party, the armed forces, and the people of all ethnic groups across the country must rally even more closely around the CPC Central Committee, hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, strengthen our confidence, press ahead with determination, and strive tirelessly to advance the great cause of national rejuvenation and build a modern socialist country in all respects through Chinese‑style modernization, continuously creating a better life for the Chinese people and writing an even more magnificent chapter for the Chinese nation!

While presiding over the conference, Li Qiang pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speech reviewed the illustrious life of Comrade Jiang Zemin, highly commended his immortal contributions to the Party and the people, systematically summarized his noble style and exemplary conduct, and emphasized the need to earnestly study Comrade Jiang Zemin’s unwavering political conviction, his sincere and profound concern for the people, his spirit of innovation that keeps pace with the times, his far-sighted strategic thinking, and his resolute and bold extraordinary courage. The speech is highly political, ideological, and instructive; we must study it thoroughly, gain a deep understanding of its essence, and ensure its effective implementation. We should rally even more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, adhere to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as our guiding principle, profoundly grasp the decisive significance of the “two establishments,” strengthen our “four consciousnesses,” firmly uphold our “four confidences,” and practice the “two safeguards,” so as to strive unremittingly to advance the great cause of national rejuvenation through the comprehensive development of a modern socialist country in the Chinese style.

The conference concluded to the solemn strains of “The Internationale.”

On the morning of August 17, the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission solemnly convened a grand meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Comrade Jiang Zemin, a great Marxist, a towering proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist, and diplomat, as well as an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Xiang.

Also in attendance were Wang Yi, Yin Li, Shi Taifeng, Liu Guozhong, Li Ganjie, Li Shulei, Li Hongzhong, He Lifeng, Zhang Guoqing, Chen Wenqing, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Li Lanqing, Zeng Qinghong, Li Changchun, He Guoqiang, Liu Yunshan, Wang Qishan, and Zhang Gaoli, along with leading comrades from the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the Supreme People’s Court, the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission, as well as comrades who have retired from leadership positions.

Approximately 6,000 people attended the conference, including leading officials from all central Party, government, military, and mass organizations, as well as key officials from Beijing; leaders of the central committees of the democratic parties and the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce; representatives of non‑party personages; members and alternate members of the CPC Central Committee based in Beijing; members of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference who are stationed in Beijing; representatives of veteran cadres and senior comrades; relatives of Comrade Jiang Zemin, his former close aides, and representatives from his hometown; delegates to the symposium on Comrade Jiang Zemin’s life and thought; representatives of the capital’s various sectors of the public; and representatives of troops stationed in Beijing.

Before the opening of the congress, leaders including Xi Jinping warmly received relatives of Comrade Jiang Zemin and posed for a group photo with them.

Editor-in-charge: Zhang Wen