Former Chairman Jiang Zemin Absent from Chinese Party Congress

[Asia Economy Reporter Gu Eun-mo] Jiang Zemin, former President of China, who is 96 years old this year, did not attend the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (Party Congress) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the 16th.

On that day, Jiang Zemin was not seen in the presidium of the Party Congress, and there was no seat with his nameplate. Although his attendance was considered possible as he was included in the list of 46 standing members of the presidium announced on the 15th, the day before the opening, he ultimately did not attend in person.

Jiang Zemin, along with former Vice President Zeng Qinghong, is called the 'patriarch' of the Shanghai faction (Shanghai-based political and business network), classified as a 'rival' group to President Xi Jinping. He appeared at the previous Party Congress, the 19th Party Congress in 2017, but did not attend the 100th anniversary ceremony of the Communist Party of China on July 1 last year, raising speculation about his health. Recently, a photo of Jiang and his wife taken on his birthday was released online in China, drawing attention to the possibility of his attendance at this Party Congress.

Among former top leaders who were included in the presidium standing committee, former Premier Zhu Rongji (93) also did not attend on this day. Zhu also did not attend the 100th anniversary ceremony of the Communist Party last year, which raised health concerns.

Additionally, Wang Qishan, Vice President, who visited Kazakhstan on the 13th, was listed in the presidium standing committee but was absent on this day. It is interpreted that he was subject to quarantine regulations requiring a 10-day isolation period upon entry into Beijing.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Former President Hu Jintao and senior elders entered the venue following President Xi. It appeared that President Xi did not shake hands with the elders, but he supported Hu Jintao’s arm as he took his seat.

Song Ping, a 'revolutionary elder' and former member of the Politburo Standing Committee, who is 105 years old this year, attended and took a seat in the presidium. Song Ping appeared to be in good health as he looked over the work report or conversed with former Vice President Zeng Qinghong seated next to him while President Xi was delivering the report.

China Central Television (CCTV) showed close-ups of former President Hu Jintao and current Politburo Standing Committee members Li Keqiang, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji, Li Zhanshu, Huang Kunming, and Han Zheng during the live broadcast of the opening ceremony. These individuals, along with the 46 standing members of the presidium, sat in the front row of the podium with President Xi.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.