(Image Source: China News)

BY RUISHA QIAN
 

Three months after Hong Kong’s Asia Television reported his death, China’s former President, 85-year-old Jiang Zemin finally resurfaced.

China’s Phoenix TV has the details...

“The celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Xinhai Revolution that ended 2,000 years of imperial rule in China reached a climax as leaders gathered at the Great Hall of the People. Former President Jiang Zemin, who was reported to be seriously ill, walked slowly to his seat with the help of his attendants. He looked healthier than expected. At the end of the ceremony, he even shook hands with President Hu Jintao.”

Jiang’s surprise appearance silenced the rumors of his death, which began circulating in July when he was noticeably absent from the Communist Party’s 90th birthday party. But those rumors were dismissed by the state-run Xinhua News Agency as quote- “pure rumor.”

The Telegraph explains why the leader’s status was shrouded in secrecy.

“...the health condition of Chinese leaders is extremely sensitive as it is considered a state secret, apparently because of concerns that illness might affect the appearance of stability in the party.”

Now that the rumor is dispelled, the Financial Times wonders what influence the powerful former president will have when current president Hu Jintao steps down.

“(Jiang’s) apparent health will fuel speculation about the impact that he might have on a once-in-a-decade leadership transition taking place over the next year. Although he handed over most of the key levers of power to President Hu in 2002, Mr Jiang long retained influence over important policy and personnel decisions..”

The Wall Street Journal says Jiang is aiming for more influence in the next Party Politburo Standing Committee...

“Vice President Xi Jinping, 58, has already been anointed as the next party chief and president through his promotion to a key military post last year, but other seats on the Standing Committee are up for grabs and will be decided through horse-trading and maneuvering between various interest groups…”

The New York Times, quoting a Brookings Institute expert on high-level Chinese politics, says...

“Jiang’s re-emergence on Sunday was ‘highly political... Retired top leaders apparently want  to have more say on the country’s economic policy, political succession and foreign relations, especially at a time when the Chinese public has become increasingly concerned about the administrative capacity and political unity of  the current leadership.’”