President Xi Jinping presides over a grand ceremony in Beijing on Monday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of former state leader Jiang Zemin, who served as the country’s top leader between 1989 and the early 2000s and died in 2022.

Xi is addressing thousands of officials and delegates from various sectors at the ceremony, held in the Great Hall of the People, delivering a speech that highlights Jiang’s contribution to the party and the country.

All seven members of the Standing Committee of the Politburo, as well as a long list retired state leaders, are present, in a show of solidarity within the party.

Xi praised a long list of Jiang’s achievements, from political loyalty to the party to economic development, foreign policy and defence policy.

“Comrade Jiang Zemin has fully displayed great talent and strategy, a key role, the art of leadership as a Marxist politician, and has set up a high esteem worth our following in the long run, and forever encourage us to march forward,” he said.

The event is the latest to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Jiang’s birth, following a high profiled 12-episode documentary aired on CCTV from last week.