Jiang Zemin Resigns

The China`s official Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday that Chinese Central Military Commission chairman Jiang Zemin, 78, is resigning, and Hu Jintao, Chief Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party and President of China, will succeed him.

Chairman Jiang announced his resignation yesterday, the last day of the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee. The Fourth Plenum approved his resignation and President Hu’s succession.

The South China Morning Post, a Hongkong English newspaper, ran a headline story entitled “Chairman Jiang admits his resignation to the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee” in its Saturday paper.

This paper quoted Jiang’s relatives and close relations as saying, “Chairman Jiang’s health is very poor and he wishes to resign” and added, “it seems that he will resign on the Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee.”

Another source reported that even if his resignation is approved, his official resignation will probably be at the China’s National People’s Congress next March.

Chairman Jiang left his post as chief secretary of the party in November 2002 and handed over his nation’s presidency to Hu last March.

The South China Morning Post noted that in the future Hu Jintao, President of China and Chief Secretary, will assume true reins of the Communist Party, government, military. However, the paper forecasted that until Hu secures a reliable foundation for his power, he will maintain the collective leadership system.

Among Beijing politicians it is anticipated that even after his resignation, chairman Jiang will exhibit considerable influence behind the scenes.

Yoo-Seong Hwang yshwang@donga.com