President who opened up China to business, but stamped on dissent

Former Chinese president Jiang Zemin has died aged 96, state TV reported.

Mr Jiang led his country out of isolation after the crushing of prodemocracy protests in Tiananmen Square in 1989 and supported economic reforms that led to a decade of explosive growth.

A surprise choice to lead a divided Communist Party after the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, Mr Jiang saw China through history-making changes including a revival of market-oriented reforms, the return of Hong Kong from British rule in 1997 and Beijing’s entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001.

Even as China opened to the outside, Mr Jiang’s government stamped out dissent at home. It jailed human rights, labour and pro-democracy activists.

Mr Jiang gave up his last official title in 2004 but remained a force behind the scenes in the wrangling that led to the rise of current President Xi Jinping in 2012.

Mr Xi has stuck to Mr Jiang’s mix of economic liberalisation and strict political controls.

Initially seen as a transitional leader, Mr Jiang was drafted on the verge of retirement with a mandate from thenparamount leader Deng Xiaoping to pull together the party and nation.

But in 13 years as Communist Party general secretary, the top position in China, he guided the country’s rise to become a global economic power by welcoming capitalists into the party and pulling in foreign investment after China joined the WTO.

A former soap factory manager, Mr Jiang spoke enthusiastic if halting English and would recite the Gettysburg Address for foreign visitors.

On a visit to Britain, he tried to coax the Queen into singing karaoke.

Mr Jiang had faded from public sight and last appeared publicly alongside current and former leaders at a 2019 military parade celebrating the party’s 70th anniversary in power.

Mr Jiang is survived by his two sons and wife, Wang Yeping, who worked in government bureaucracies in charge of state industries.

President Jiang Zemin.