Former President Jiang Zemin was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on Monday morning, Xinhua News Agency reports, a day ahead of a memorial service that will see the entire nation observe three minutes of silence to mourn the late leader.

Xinhua said President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and other top leaders visited People's Liberation Army General Hospital in the capital to pay their last respects, bowing to his remains and expressing condolences to his widow Wang Yeping and other relatives.

Former President Hu Jintao was also among those who bade farewell to the late leader, Xinhua reports.

President Xi and other top leaders then accompanied Jiang’s hearse to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery for the cremation.

People across China will be mourning Jiang’s passing at a memorial service at 10 am on Tuesday morning.

RTHK will broadcast the ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing live to audiences in Hong Kong.

All government staff will observe the three minutes’ silence in solidarity with the nation, while designated premises have been set up in all 18 districts for people to watch live broadcasts of the service.