President Xi Jinping on Monday lauded the "indelible contributions" made by the late leader Jiang Zemin at a grand gathering to commemorate his birth centenary.

Xi told the audience at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing that Jiang had contributed to safeguarding the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, broke new ground in reform and opening up in all respects, and achieved overall moderate prosperity in people's lives.

He said Jiang had remained unswervingly firm in upholding communist ideals, and was resolutely committed to the cause of the Party and the people while staying completely loyal to both.

Xi, also the general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said the late leader had emphasised the importance of strengthening the Party's leadership as the country advanced reforms, opened up, and developed its economy.

The President also said the late leader laid the groundwork for the development and opening up of Pudong, making outstanding contributions to the advancement of Shanghai in its social modernisation drive, as well as in terms of making reforms and opening up.

"In the late spring and early summer of 1989, a severe political disturbance took place in China. Comrade Jiang Zemin rightfully upheld and implemented the CPC Central Committee's correct decision and effectively maintained the stability of Shanghai," Xi said.

He also touched on Jiang's contribution to the return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland.

"He led the smooth return of Hong Kong and Macao to the motherland, pushing for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to reach the 1992 consensus embodying the one-China principle and making major moves to fight against the separatists and oppose 'Taiwan independence'", Xi said.

The President said people should learn from the late leader's firmness in political conviction; his dedication to and profound love for the people; his innovative spirit, far-sightedness and strategic thinking, as well as his extraordinary courage and vision.

Jiang always stood with the people and cared for their well-being, Xi said.

The late leader once pointed out that the fundamental goal of economic development is to raise people's living standards, Xi noted.

He also placed emphasis on building a moderately prosperous society at a higher level in an all-round way that would benefit over a billion people, Xi said.

He also underscored Jiang's efforts to further adhere to a people-centred approach to development and make solid steps in promoting the all-round development of the people and common prosperity for all.

Xi hailed Jiang's efforts in continuously advancing innovations in theory, institutions, science and technology, culture, and other fields.

He said that by pooling the wisdom of the whole Party, Jiang created the Theory of Three Represents, which has further answered the questions of what socialism is and how to build it, and creatively addressed what kind of Party to build and how to build it.

Jiang advanced the cause of the Party and the state with a slew of major decisions and measures with an international perspective and a vision for the future, Xi said.

He made arrangements with foresight for building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, he added.

President Xi said the late leader also put forth a series of thoughts on foreign affairs and international strategies to advance the development of a multipolar world and economic globalisation in the right direction.

Jiang made resolute decisions at key historical junctures and critical moments, and responded calmly to risks and challenges, securing the steady advancement of China's reform and opening up as well as socialist modernisation, Xi said.

In particular, Jiang led China to successfully withstand the impact of the Asian financial crisis and secure the complete victory in the battle against the severe floods in 1998, Xi said.

He also underlined the importance of standing ready to withstand high winds, choppy waters, and even dangerous storms, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and continuing to write the new chapter on the miracles of fast economic growth and long-term social stability on the new journey. (Additional reporting by Xinhua)



Edited by Cecil Wong