Jiang Zemin, China's Former Communist Leader, Dead at 96

Jiang Zemin, China's Former Communist Leader, Dead at 96

Jiang Zemin, , China's Former Communist Leader, , Dead at 96.

Jiang Zemin, , China's Former Communist Leader, , Dead at 96.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency announced Jiang's death on Nov.

30.

The cause of death was leukemia and multiple organ failure.

The official obituary for Jiang referred to him as "an outstanding leader" and evoked the "serious political turmoil" of the massacre at Tiananmen Square.

During the serious political turmoil in China in the spring and summer of 1989, Comrade Jiang Zemin supported and implemented the correct decision of the Party Central Committee... , Official Obituary of Jiang Zemin, via CNN.

During the serious political turmoil in China in the spring and summer of 1989, Comrade Jiang Zemin supported and implemented the correct decision of the Party Central Committee... , Official Obituary of Jiang Zemin, via CNN.

... to oppose unrest, defend the socialist state power, safeguard the fundamental interests of the people … and effectively maintain the stability of Shanghai, Official Obituary of Jiang Zemin, via CNN.

Scholars and analysts credit Jiang with opening China up to the world economically.

Scholars and analysts credit Jiang with opening China up to the world economically.

However, his rule is also characterized as one under which widescale corruption in the Communist Party flourished.

Jiang was a contradictory figure and accidental leader, Pin Ho, CEO of the Mirror Media Group, via CNN.

He admired and respected Western cultures – but he also had to live within the Chinese political system, Pin Ho, CEO of the Mirror Media Group, via CNN.

Jiang was shrewd in politics and extroverted in his persona.

Jiang was shrewd in politics and extroverted in his persona.

I think he was underestimated during his lifetime.

Compared to Hu and Xi, he was very voluble and open and friendly, Orville Schell, Leading U.S. Scholar on China, via CNN.

He was one of the few Chinese leaders who wanted to be a normal world leader, not a communist dictator, Orville Schell, Leading U.S. Scholar on China, via CNN.

Social media in China has been flooded with tributes to the former leader