China Commemorates Jiang Zemin’s Centenary With Documentary and Grand Ceremony

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State broadcaster CCTV has launched a heavyweight 12-episode documentary series titled Jiang Zemin, broadcasting nightly at prime time from Tuesday, as part of nationwide events coordinated by the ruling Communist Party to honor the third-generation leader.

State Broadcaster Airs Heavyweight Documentary Series

As the August 17 milestone approaches, China Central Television (CCTV) has commenced broadcasting a 12-episode biographical documentary on Jiang Zemin. According to programming schedules from outlets such as Aju Press and Hong Kong’s Ming Pao, CCTV’s flagship channel, CCTV-1, began airing two episodes consecutively at prime time starting August 11, running daily through August 16.

The production is a joint effort by major party and state organizations. Alongside the television broadcast, the Central Propaganda Department and related agencies scheduled a seminar focusing on Jiang’s political philosophy regarding peace and harmony, paired with the release of a nationwide commemorative stamp.

Historical Standing and High-Level Beijing Symposium

The centennial events are slated to culminate in a symposium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on August 17. The event is jointly hosted by the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the Central Military Commission. Thousands of officials, including President Xi Jinping, are expected to attend, with Xi scheduled to deliver a major address.

According to historical records from Chinese state media, separate commemorative events for past leaders of the People’s Republic of China since 1949 are rare. Only six foundational leaders have received individual centenary symposia: Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Deng Xiaoping, and Chen Yun. Jiang Zemin’s commemoration marks the seventh such instance.

During a speech on July 1 commemorating the 105th anniversary of the Communist Party, President Xi Jinping explicitly linked contemporary party heritage to revolutionary elders, honoring Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Chen Yun, and Comrade Jiang Zemin in a single formulation. Observers interpreting the address in Ming Pao suggest this positions Jiang’s historical standing on par with the earliest architects of the People’s Republic.

Patriotic Education and Local Infrastructure Preparation

Last month, the Central Propaganda Department officially added Jiang Zemin’s former residence in Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, to its national list of patriotic education demonstration bases. Local municipal agencies and tourism boards in Yangzhou have since upgraded public reception facilities and security infrastructure to accommodate expected influxes of visitors and organized study delegations.