Top Chinese general draws on Jiang’s legacy to highlight importance of loyalty in military
China’s most senior general Zhang Shengmin has invoked the late former president Jiang Zemin’s response to the collapse of the Soviet Union and first Gulf war in an article emphasising the importance of party unity and military reform in the face of external threats. This month has seen a series of commemorative events to mark the centenary of Jiang’s birth, including a grand ceremony in Beijing…
China's most senior general, Zhang Shengmin, has drawn parallels between late former President Jiang Zemin's leadership during critical global events and the current importance of party unity and military reform. This emphasis comes as China commemorates the centenary of Jiang's birth, with President Xi Jinping delivering a 40-minute speech on Monday highlighting Jiang's legacy.
Zhang, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, highlighted the existential threats China faced in the late 20th century, including the collapse of the Soviet Union and the first Gulf war. He argued that Jiang steered the People's Liberation Army (PLA) through these challenges by rooting out harmful tendencies and strengthening party committees at all levels.
Zhang stressed that Jiang treated the party's absolute leadership as the PLA's core foundation, launching comprehensive education campaigns and opposing factionalism and sectarianism. He also noted Jiang's shift in the PLA's focus from a manpower-heavy model to one prioritising modern technology and quality over quantity in producing arms and equipment.
Zhang concluded that accelerating the military's transformation into a world-class force is the best tribute to Jiang and other revolutionary predecessors.
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