(Image source: Mingpao )

BY UNA LUE

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Is he? Or isn’t he? A Hong-Kong based media outlet ATV -- reported former China leader Jiang Zemin died this week.

"We have received information that the former president, Jiang Zemin, has died of illness. He was died 84. The news has not yet been announced by the military. In memorial of former president, we have feature stories for you tonight.”

That news spread like wildfire.

Jiang’s death immediately became the most popular news on China’s social media networks. Government censors moved in, quickly filtering and deleting all posts about Jiang’s status.

CNN news blog details …

“included the Chinese character for ‘river,’ which is Mr. Jiang's surname, and terms such as Yangtze River—Chang Jiang in Mandarin—China's longest river… When you search for any of the above terms, you get the following message: ‘According to the relevant laws, regulations and policies, the results of this search cannot be displayed.’"

Speculation about the 84-year-old ex-leader’s health began on July 1, due in part to Jiang’s absence at the 90th anniversary celebrations of the Chinese Communist Party. (Video credit: BBC)

CBS provides more reasons why the gossip about Jiang’s ill health circulated so rapidly.

“Wednesday morning, unusually large numbers of police were posted around Beijing, leading some to speculate that all the whispering was based on fact. Admittedly, in 1976, the Communist Party waited more than 16 hours to announce the death of the Party's founder, Mao Zedong, out of fears for national stability.”

After almost 18 hours silence, China’s state-run Xinhua issued a denial, saying the reports were "pure rumor”.  ATV also issued an apology.  But the Shanghaiist reports, many scrutinizing Chinese nationals living overseas still believe ATV’s report is valid.

“Among its (ATV) major shareholders is Wang Zheng, a relative of the 84-year-old former president.

Taiwan broadcaster Cti TV reports, Jiang's family members are angry about the rumors, while conceding Jiang’s health is not good.

“According to Jiang’s family member, the former Chinese president was in the hospital because of a ‘high fever’ but he has since recovered and is now out of intensive care.”

Jiang Zemin led China for a dozen years until transferring power to President Hu Jintao in 2002.