Xi Jinping Praises Tiananmen Crackdown in Jiang Zemin Centennial Speech

In a Monday address marking the 100th anniversary of Jiang Zemin’s birth, President Xi Jinping called for an “indomitable fighting spirit” and lauded the Communist Party’s decision to suppress the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Xi framed the crackdown as essential to maintaining stability and advancing China’s “two great miracles” of rapid economic development and long-term social stability.

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The protests began after the death of former Party leader Hu Yaobang on April 15, a figure many viewed as a liberalizing champion. Student demonstrations grew over several weeks, culminating on June 4 when the People’s Liberation Army fired on demonstrators in Tiananmen Square. Xi’s speech highlighted Jiang Zemin’s support for the Party’s “correct decisions” during that period, noting Jiang’s actions helped keep Shanghai stable.

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Following the crackdown, Jiang replaced Zhao Ziyang—who was perceived as sympathetic to the protesters—and became General Secretary in 1993. A state-televised 12-episode documentary released earlier this month commemorated Jiang’s life but omitted any footage of the June 4 killings, reflecting ongoing censorship. Under Jiang’s leadership, China accelerated its economic opening, joining the World Trade Organization in 2001 with U.S. backing and entering a phase of intense growth and improved Sino-U.S. relations.

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Relations between Beijing and Washington have deteriorated in recent years, marked by trade disputes and strategic rivalry. Xi’s speech noted that “people’s lives continue to improve” despite data indicating a slowdown in economic growth. The President’s second meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled for late September, where trade, artificial intelligence and Taiwan are expected to be discussed.

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State media broadcast the speech in full, emphasizing a “bright” outlook for the nation’s rejuvenation and portraying the Tiananmen crackdown as a decisive act that secured China’s stability. The narrative reinforces the Party’s long-standing position that the 1989 events were a necessary response to political upheaval, while continuing to suppress public discussion of the violence.

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