China observes this Tuesday three minutes of silence in tribute to former President Jiang Zemin, who died last week at the age of 96, a moment of national unity after the wave of protests against health restrictions.
When the authorities faced a protest movement unprecedented since the 1989 pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square in November, the figure of Jiang seemed a unifying force: architect of China’s entry onto the world stage, he was able to restore calm after that mobilization .
He came to power after that episode and accompanied the transformation from the most populous country on the planet to a world power. He ruled until 2003.
He died last Wednesday of leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai, according to state media.
His body was cremated in Beijing on Monday at a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders, the state news agency Xinhua reported.
A commemorative ceremony will be held at the People’s Palace in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) and will be broadcast live, state television CCTV announced.
"Regions and departments must ensure that the majority of members and party cadres, as well as the public, listen and watch"he added.
Three minutes of silence will be observed while sirens will sound across the country, flags will fly at half mast and recreational activities will be suspended while some online games, such as the popular League of Legends, announced a day of pause.
– "exceptional leader" –
The Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets will suspend trading during those three minutes.
Popular among the younger generations of Chinese, Jiang divides the population over his legacy.
He is accused of failing to address the problems generated by China’s economic leap, such as corruption, inequality, environmental impact and layoffs due to reforms in state industries.
Under his tenure, the repression of political militants also became more ferocious, although he is hailed by state media as a great communist revolutionary.
"Jiang Zemin was an outstanding leader of great prestige"published China News in an obituary titled "The great and glorious life of Jiang Zemin".
"During his revolutionary career of more than 70 years, he remained firm and unwavering in communist ideals, unconditionally loyal to the party and the people, and resolutely committed to the cause of the party and the people."he added.
– "Faithful of the Toad" –
Last Thursday, his remains were flown to Beijing. President Xi Jinping was present for his arrival, according to CCTV footage.
Wearing black armbands and white flowers on their jackets, the president and other senior leaders bowed in concert as Jiang’s remains were carried off the plane.
Since his retirement, Jiang has been fondly regarded by his Chinese fans of generations Y (born 1980 to the late 1990s) and Z (late 1990s to 2010), who call themselves the "Faithful of the Toad"fascinated by its size similar to that of a batrachian and its eccentric gestures.
On Wednesday in less than an hour, more than half a million people had commented on the Chinese social network Weibo on a CCTV post announcing Jiang’s death.
Many referred to him as "grandfather jiang".
After the announcement of his death, state media and public companies put their web pages in black and white, as well as mobile applications such as Alipay, Taobao and McDonald’s.