Jiang Zemin, , China's Former Communist Leader, , Dead at 96.<br />Jiang Zemin, , China's Former Communist Leader, , Dead at 96.<br />China's state-run Xinhua news agency <br />announced Jiang's death on Nov. 30.<br />The cause of death was <br />leukemia and multiple organ failure.<br />The official obituary for Jiang referred to him as <br />"an outstanding leader" and evoked the "serious political turmoil" of the massacre at Tiananmen Square.<br />During the serious political turmoil in China in the spring and summer of 1989, Comrade Jiang Zemin supported and implemented the correct decision of the Party Central Committee... , Official Obituary of Jiang Zemin, via CNN.<br />During the serious political turmoil in China in the spring and summer of 1989, Comrade Jiang Zemin supported and implemented the correct decision of the Party Central Committee... , Official Obituary of Jiang Zemin, via CNN.<br />... to oppose unrest, defend the socialist state power, safeguard the fundamental interests of the people … and effectively maintain the stability of Shanghai, Official Obituary of Jiang Zemin, via CNN.<br />Scholars and analysts credit Jiang with <br />opening China up to the world economically.<br />Scholars and analysts credit Jiang with <br />opening China up to the world economically.<br />However, his rule is also characterized as one under which widescale corruption in the Communist Party flourished.<br />Jiang was a contradictory figure and accidental leader, Pin Ho, CEO of the Mirror Media Group, via CNN.<br />He admired and respected Western cultures – but he also had to live within the Chinese political system, Pin Ho, CEO of the Mirror Media Group, via CNN.<br />Jiang was shrewd in politics <br />and extroverted in his persona.<br />Jiang was shrewd in politics <br />and extroverted in his persona.<br />I think he was underestimated during his lifetime. Compared to Hu and Xi, he was very voluble and open and friendly, Orville Schell, Leading U.S. Scholar on China, <br />via CNN.<br />He was one of the few Chinese leaders who wanted to be a normal world leader, not a communist dictator, Orville Schell, Leading U.S. Scholar on China, <br />via CNN.<br />Social media in China has been flooded <br />with tributes to the former leader
