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Jason Lee / Reuters
Chinese President Hu Jintao, left, applauds as former Chinese President Jiang Zemin waves at the opening ceremony of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, on Nov. 8, 2012.
As China's Communist Party opened its 18th Congress in Beijing, outgoing President and party chief Hu Jintao was the first senior leader to enter the Great Hall of the People, greeted by thunderous applause from over 2,000 delegates as he walked to his front-row seat.
Hu was followed closely by a man who hasn't held a formal position of power in China for a decade.
Former president Jiang Zemin, 86, his hair dyed walnut brown, shook hands with other comrades and smiled as he entered ahead of the rest of China's core leadership, including Xi Jinping, the anointed next party general secretary and president.
The procession unambiguously validated Jiang's position at the pinnacle of China's politics, and he has worked assiduously to make sure his influence will be felt throughout the next leadership, which will be unveiled publicly on Thursday.
"He's still very much the power behind the throne," said Hong Kong-based China expert Willy Lam, who has written a book on Jiang.
As China undergoes its current leadership transition, Jiang has emerged as a critical power broker whose behind-the-scenes influence brings fresh uncertainty, and could hobble the new ruling elite's attempts to pursue reforms.
Part of the motivation for his deep involvement in China's imminent leadership transition, party insiders said, is personal. He wants to make sure his two sons, both of whom are successful businessmen, are protected at a time of enhanced scrutiny of the wealth accumulated by the families of the country's top leadership.
Slideshow: The reign of Jiang Zemin
Behind the Wall: China launches once-a-decade changing of the guard
Details of Jiang's backroom dealings also reveal, sources said, his complicated relationship with Hu. They are not all-out rivals, but neither are they firm poltical allies.
Earlier this year, Jiang was instrumental in the demotion of Ling Jihua, one of Hu's closest allies, after reports that Ling's son was killed in a car crash involving a luxury sports car in March, sources said.
"Jiang asked Hu whether Ling Jihuawas still fit to be director of the (party Central Committee's) General Office after the accident," one source told Reuters, referring to the key role overseeing logistics and liaising with senior leaders.
"Ling Jihua was demoted after that."
Vigorous return to politics
Jiang has immersed himself in high level politics with renewed and surprising vigor this year after several relatively quiet years since the previous party congress in 2007.
Last year, rumors swirled that he was seriously ill, and a Hong Kong television station reported that he had died.
In recent months his public appearances have been select but poignant, including a Johann Strauss musical performance at Beijing's National theatre in September. Overall, in the past year, there have been more public Jiang sightings than at any point since his retirement.
The elevated public profile, party insiders say, mirrors the clout Jiang wields, or wants to be perceived as wielding, behind the scenes. The clout became apparent when Beijing was in upheaval over the scandal surrounding party heavyweight Bo Xilai.
Jiangwas consulted on how to deal with the scandal, which culminated in Bo being expelled from the party and facing possible charges of corruption and abuse of power. Bo's wife has been convicted for the murder of a British businessman.
Jiang is an adviser (to Hu), a (still) very influential adviser," a second source with ties to the leadership said.
"Jiang was consulted on how to handle the Bo Xilai case."
He has also been deeply involved in selecting the next Politburo Standing Committee, the country's supreme decision-making authority, that will be unveiled after the congress.
Jiang, along with Huand anointed leader Xi, helped draw up a seven-member "preferred list" ahead of the once-in-a-decade leadership transition, three sources with ties to senior party leaders told Reuters.
"Jiang and other party elders have veto power over standing committee nominees," one source told Reuters. Two high profile allies of President Hu — reformist Guangdong party boss Wang Yang and Li Yuanchao — may be passed over.
But sources with leadership ties said Huand Xi are pushing for landmark multi-candidate elections for at least the Politburo — and possibly the standing committee — throwing the "preferred list" into uncertainty.
The outgoing president is often depicted by foreign media as a rival of Jiang's, pitting Hu's so-called Youth League faction against Jiang's Shanghai faction. Party insiders told Reuters that their relationship is more complex than that. One source likened them to the board chairman and president of a corporation.
While Jiang does not meddle in the day-to-day running of the country, Huhas had to consult him on major political and policy decisions, sources with leadership ties said.
That arrangement will almost certainly continue under Xi once, as expected, he takes over as the party's new general secretary. Xi owes his political rise to Jiang, who marked him early on as a potential leader.
Protecting political legacy and family
Jiang has fought to maintain his political clout for two main reasons: to avoid any adverse political repercussions for his family or allies once he finally does pass from the scene, and to preserve what he sees as his political legacy.
Jiang's eldest son, Jiang Mianheng, is a prominent businessman with companies in various sectors from microchips to telecommunications and runs Shanghai Alliance Investment. His lower profile younger son, Jiang Miankang, is director of a Shanghai-based urban development research center.
His Harvard-educated grandson, Alvin Jiang, meanwhile, is a founder of Chinese private equity firm Boyu Capital, which received seed money from Hong Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing.
Jiang "will need powerful people to support his family'' once he's gone, said Lam. "Xi will ensure that no one touches his two sons."
Some party insiders believe Jiang is also seeking to protect his political legacy. He pushed hard for China's WTO accession in the 1990s, and first opened the door for private businessmen to join the Communist Party, against strong internal opposition.
Most view his time in office as a period of successful economic liberalization, though he's not believed to have much sympathy for political reform.
"When you've got a lot of uncertainties regarding the old generation of leaders still lurking behind," said Steve Tsang, a China political specialist at Nottingham University, "then it becomes that much more difficult, (and takes) a bit longer, before the new leadership decides whether it can take bold actions."
As long as Jiang is alive, analysts said, Xi had better get used to his presence. "As long as he is healthy, he won't give up his influence easily, he'll continue to exert it," said Jin Zhong, editor in chief of Open Magazine in Hong Kong, which specializes in China politics.
"This is China's greatest tragedy. Its reliance on dictators rather than the rule of law and democracy."
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Well this one and only comment shows how much the world really gives a sweet f----k who runs China.
Later..........
China is are social problem ask any Democrat..
China is a disease, like leprosy, not a social problem.
China is are social problem ask any Democrat..
Once again - nice editorial standards! Did the "author" forget about the space bar? There are many instances where it was missed... /grumble
No kidding... I see mistakes in these articles all the time. You are a professional journalist - you write for a living. Did they not teach you how to proofread in English 101? It's sloppy, lazy and unprofessional. Take some pride in your work.
Jiang: China's Karl Rove. Only difference being that Jiang won. Arguments?
Anyone else feel that Jiang looks eerily like a baby orangutan?
lol now that you mention it... he does!!! I got to hold a newborn one once, and if you had shaved its face it would have looked a lot like Mr Former Leader.
They can save a few bucks on makeup for the next Planet of the Apes film and hire him!
Also, don't forget to notice his little half-Hitler salute... does he not realize that's NOT a cool gesture to make, even with upper arm only?
More American propaganda, amazing,first we must look at the failure of the free market system, then talk again.
Exactly Warren, USA free market is good only for the crooks who are enriching them self's on backs of working people and producing likes of Enron. Chinese tightly regulated system guarantees solid return to its people.
lol, chinese paid trolls...
for those of you who care, the Chinese economy is only tightly regulated regarding worker's rights - or lack of rights I should say. things like workplace safety standards, and fair wages are scoffed at as an unnecessary cost. The only solid returns that are guaranteed are fat profits for business owners while the workers live in indentured servitude.
China now has the worst form of government, and has adopted only the worst aspects of Capitalism. The only thing people in China care about now is money.
Communist or capitalist, I can guarantee you that every market is focused on returns and not people.
Are u kidding me? The Chinese have no demcracy and their free market system is a joke, look at the all the big leaders whose families are billionaires. In the meantime half of the Chinese population is living in squalor, u must be a Chinese gov't troll. What u have is an oligarchy my friend where the rule is by the the few at the top and the weatlh follows accordingly. What a joke go back to China we have a free country here something you will never be able to understand.
Did PRC joint WTO because of the failure of the free market system ? Why does PRC want everyone to recognize its 'market economy" status if free market system is a failure ? Is PRC admitting that it is a failure now, years after everyone realize how great a failure China is ?
Before this last US election I thought this was going to be our future.
But almost all of the super PAC billions were wasted and were able to buy very little, much to the shock of many, including myself. (Now you know the reason for Trump's tantrums)
We may break this Oligarchy yet.
Or at least loosen it's stranglehold on the US a little.
Oligarchy (noun): A country's practiced political system where the vast bulk of wealth and power reside in the hands of a very small percentage of the population. [i.e.: the 1% club, or more correctly, the .001% club]
the US State Department could be considered an elite oligarchy in that only Harvard and Yale grads need apply.
does not have to be only rich 1% on wall street or washington, dc......hollywood, baseball, football, basketball, music industry etc. rich elite 1% come in many stripes in USA.
If everyone is wealthy then no one is wealthy. There are people who do not like that idea and prefer to be part of the elite.
Your definition of Oligarchy described PRC economy very precisely.
Guessing Jiang Zemin and Daddy Bush are thinking of their kids future. Must hold their hands thru life making sure nobody takes their illgotten gain$,,,
This will probably be the last Central Committee meeting like this. China is changing too fast for old guys to continue calling the shots as they see fit. Expect a revolution.
Expect a revolution? I wouldn't bet on it if I were you.
Most common people in China could care less about politics. They are focused are making ends meet and surviving in the new Vulture Capitalist economy.
If there is any kind of revolution, it will come from the top amid an internal power struggle of the elite.
Do you stupid Teabaggers that support China notice the "Red Star" and Hammer and Cycle" on their badges. They are socialists - Communist and have a economy that is growing 3 times as fast as Capitalist America. Maybe a little social control of business is a good idea!
Of course this would be the last time. Next time it will be Hu, and not Jiang.
China could openly admit to its citizens what the rest of the world already knows and that is China has no territorial claims at all to Aksai Chin, Arunachal Pradesh, Baekdu Mountain, Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, East Turkestan, Inner Mongol, Jammu and Kashmir, Matsu Islands, Paracel Islands, Penghu Islands, Pratas Island, Quemoy, Scarborough Shoal, Senkaku Islands, Socotra Rock, Spratly Islands, Taiwan, Tibet, Trans-Karakoram Tract, Zhenbao Island, etc. All you have to do is look at China's history and see where they have stolen complete countries like Tibet as an example. It is completely and utterly laughable that China whom tries to look like the good school child is trying to bully so many other countries to steal territory from them. In the end the last laugh will be on China for the naughty school child can and will be spanked!
You forgot Xinjiang. Xinjiang, (New Territory), was annexed after a brutal invasion by China very late in history (China claimed to have 5000 years of history, and this happened in the 1600's, and therefore during the last 5% of Chinese history), when hundreds of thousands of people in the area were killed by Chinese soldiers. It was named "New Territory" because it was newly invaded.
"territorial claims" I don't see you're point. All you have to do is look at a World map, point a finger, hit a spot, and someone screwed over the indigenous people. Funny stuff.
Yawn !
It doesn't matter what China does. Chinese expansionism never works. This is 21st Century when 7 billion people are connected globally together using modern technologies and China itself has only one billion, a ratio 7 to 1.
China has to return Tibet to Tibetan people.
Here are 10 business fakes made in China. Stealing is the easiest to make money. Chinese economy is based on stealing.
cnbc.com/id/43989506/?slide=1
@Duh?
I think not, China is a rapidly growing modernized nation and like most nations that have a form of a dictatorship the hardest area to control the population is the media. Not much as controlling, but purging, the Chinese are getting internet and I promise you many of them will have an illegal television system or a way to get pass the Great Firewall. Look at the reactions toward the Chinese when communist officals were booted out due to corruption, now picture that on a grand scale, you'll have MILLIONS of Chinese angry and had enough of the corruption in China, that millions will easily outnumbered the 2 million Chinese troops and with support from the West and from neighboring countries, I think a democratic revolution will happen.
China is so backwards; In the U.S. our "leaders" proudly display their wealth - most of which is enhanced by their use of positions in government. R or D, it's the same party, just different divisions / flavors.
Most American politicians get rich, and then run for office. In China, you become a government official to become rich.
Check you history. Cheney was rich before he became VP. Bushes were rich before the became president, both of them. Roosevelts were rich before they ran for office.
Being humble is not being backwards, humility is a lesson learned from being arrogant.
There is nothing humble about Chinese political leaders sending their children to private boarding schools in Europe, Ivy League Universities and buying them expensive cars worth more than most of the 99% will see in their lifetimes.
It's not humble.
It's obscene.
Auuuuugh! He isn't Ex-Chinese! He's the ex-president! I see you fixed the headline for the article, but I twitch every time I open the main page and see Ex-Chinese President......
Nice to see good ole Jiang Zemin get back in there after his supposed death. That's should stop some of the stupidity of Hu, and his plot of staying in the Military Commission for a few more years. There is hope for the Shanghai gang yet. Bo Xilai should have known better. Since Xi is half in Jiang's pocket already, he should be all right for now.
So many sour losers attack China out of hatred and jealous as they cannot bear the reality a country in the wast rises up and beat the west in their own game.
Lies and inudendos are the weapons of these losers.
Poor analysis and even poorer journalism. Jiang's value in the NPC's receiving line is symbolic... A show of unity, nothing more. He doesn't wield any effective power anymore... If he did, Bo Xilai would never have been purged, much less arrested and put on trial for his life.
There are plenty of hidden power brokers in China today - it can be argued that the Bo Xilai scandal was little more than the superficial manifestation of the decades out fight for supreme power between security chief Zhou Yongkang and former NPC Chair Qiao Shi. But Jiang Zemin isn't really part of this great game anymore. At best, he's George HW Bush, pulled out from retirement on occasion to do a fundraiser after a national disaster.
It's nice to see how Jiang wrangled power off the CYL gang. Viva Jiang Zemin. Long Live Jiang Zemin.
First, the 7 member standing committee of the Politburo. Next comes the sacrificing of couple of old guards to get some CYL gang off the membership. And you wind up with 6 to 1 win for the Jiang gang.. Bravo !! And also kick Hu off the CMC too. And if he can arrange to have a few young Shanghai gang into the Politburo in the 19th, we will have another 20 years of Jiang gang rule.