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| Back from the dead: China's internet goes wild over youthful Jiang Zemin | Back from the dead: China's internet goes wild over youthful Jiang Zemin |
| (4 months later) | |
| Reappearance of China’s 91-year-old former president at Communist party congress follows months of rumours of his death | |
| Benjamin Haas in Hong Kong | |
| Wed 18 Oct 2017 08.43 BST | |
| Last modified on Mon 27 Nov 2017 15.16 GMT | |
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| As the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, delivered a signature policy speech in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People, China’s internet was far more interested in the 91-year-old bespectacled man seated next to him. | As the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, delivered a signature policy speech in Beijing’s cavernous Great Hall of the People, China’s internet was far more interested in the 91-year-old bespectacled man seated next to him. |
| During Xi’s three-hour address, Chinese internet users marvelled at Jiang Zemin, the nonagenarian former president – with many expressing surprise to see him alive after months of rumours speculating on his demise. | During Xi’s three-hour address, Chinese internet users marvelled at Jiang Zemin, the nonagenarian former president – with many expressing surprise to see him alive after months of rumours speculating on his demise. |
| “He’s getting younger and younger each time I see him,” wrote one commenter on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter. | “He’s getting younger and younger each time I see him,” wrote one commenter on Sina Weibo, a Chinese version of Twitter. |
| Jiang’s age, coupled with Xi’s campaign to limit the influence of retired cadres, has meant the former statesman is rarely seen in public, and rumours of his death circulate every few months. | Jiang’s age, coupled with Xi’s campaign to limit the influence of retired cadres, has meant the former statesman is rarely seen in public, and rumours of his death circulate every few months. |
| Jiang was at times seen reading from a printout of the speech with an illuminated magnifying glass, and other times pictured yawning, mouth agape. And if his frequent glances at his watch were any indication, he was deeply unimpressed with Xi’s lengthy speech ushering in a “new era” of Chinese politics. | Jiang was at times seen reading from a printout of the speech with an illuminated magnifying glass, and other times pictured yawning, mouth agape. And if his frequent glances at his watch were any indication, he was deeply unimpressed with Xi’s lengthy speech ushering in a “new era” of Chinese politics. |
| Jiang Zemin checked his watch 10 times in Xi speech before I lost count 00:45, 01:25, 01.35, 01:40, 01:43, 01:50, 01:55, 01:59, 02:10, 02:19 pic.twitter.com/sAbhC1U9TC | Jiang Zemin checked his watch 10 times in Xi speech before I lost count 00:45, 01:25, 01.35, 01:40, 01:43, 01:50, 01:55, 01:59, 02:10, 02:19 pic.twitter.com/sAbhC1U9TC |
| Former high-level cadres often attend important Communist party meetings, and this year marks the twice-a-decade gathering of top members who will decide on a leadership shuffle. Xi’s immediate predecessor, Hu Jintao, was also present, although he is only the spry age of 74. | Former high-level cadres often attend important Communist party meetings, and this year marks the twice-a-decade gathering of top members who will decide on a leadership shuffle. Xi’s immediate predecessor, Hu Jintao, was also present, although he is only the spry age of 74. |
| “I wonder how many organs he had to have replaced to be standing in the middle of the stage?” another commenter mused. | “I wonder how many organs he had to have replaced to be standing in the middle of the stage?” another commenter mused. |
| “We need to learn his secret for longevity, it belongs to the people!” wrote another user. | “We need to learn his secret for longevity, it belongs to the people!” wrote another user. |
| Jiang’s wide smile has given rise to Chinese internet users christening him “the frog”, with many users posting emojis of the aquatic creature. | Jiang’s wide smile has given rise to Chinese internet users christening him “the frog”, with many users posting emojis of the aquatic creature. |
| Jiang ran China for a decade starting in 1993 and is fondly remembered for his colourful behaviour, contrasted with the stiff outward appearance of his two successors. | Jiang ran China for a decade starting in 1993 and is fondly remembered for his colourful behaviour, contrasted with the stiff outward appearance of his two successors. |
| There was explosive economic growth during his tenure and living standards rose rapidly, but he is not without his critics. Jiang launched a sweeping crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which has accused his administration of torturing its followers. | There was explosive economic growth during his tenure and living standards rose rapidly, but he is not without his critics. Jiang launched a sweeping crackdown on the Falun Gong spiritual movement, which has accused his administration of torturing its followers. |
| He would occasionally give speeches in English during trips abroad and even sat down for an interview with a US television station for a wide ranging interview where he was peppered with questions about China’s human rights record. | He would occasionally give speeches in English during trips abroad and even sat down for an interview with a US television station for a wide ranging interview where he was peppered with questions about China’s human rights record. |
| He also famously berated a group of reporters when they asked a question he disliked, saying they were “too simple, sometimes naive”. | He also famously berated a group of reporters when they asked a question he disliked, saying they were “too simple, sometimes naive”. |
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