Jiang Zemin: 1926-2022 

Aug 17, 1926: Born in eastern city of Yangzhou

Joins Communist Party while studying electrical engineering. Gradually rises through ranks, eventually becoming party chief in Shanghai

1989: Appointed party leader by Deng Xiaoping (below) in purge of liberals following crackdown on Tiananmen Square protests

1989: Succeeds Deng as chairman of Central Military Commission

1993: Becomes President of China

1997: Hong Kong reverts to Chinese sovereignty

Jiang unveils plan to privatize unprofitable state-owned enterprises. Meets with
U.S. President Bill Clinton at White House

1996: Beijing intimidates Taiwan with missile tests in run-up to its first direct presidential election

1999: Jiang oversees heavy-handed crackdown on Falun Gong spiritual movement

1999, 2001: Jiang manages crises in Sino-U.S. relations after NATO bombing of China’s embassy in Belgrade and collision of Chinese fighter and U.S. spy plane in Chinese airspace

2000: Jiang introduces “Three Represents” theory, allowing entrepreneurs to join party

2001: China joins WTO and wins bid to host 2008 Olympics in Beijing

2002: Jiang hands reins to Hu Jintao in first bloodless leadership transition since 1949

2019: Last seen in public, with Hu and Xi Jinping, at celebrations marking 70 years since founding of People’s Republic of China
                     
2022: Jiang dies at age 96
       
Sources: Reuters, BBC, FT, NYT 
Pictures: Newscom, Getty Images 
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