customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Shi Jiangtao

Choi Chi-yuk

Former president Jiang Zemin made a rare public appearance over the weekend, in a move widely seen as an attempt to demonstrate his lingering influence ahead of the Communist Party's once-in-a-decade leadership succession.
Although the 86-year-old is rumoured to have been active in behind-the-scenes manoeuvring ahead of the party's 18th national congress, due next month or so, it was Jiang's first public appearance in months.
Analysts said his reappearance at this sensitive time was a calculated move, which could boost support for party factions under his stewardship.
According to online postings and photos circulated on mainland internet forums and overseas Chinese websites, Jiang and his wife on Saturday attended a musical drama celebrating Austrian musician John Strauss' visit to the US in 1872 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
They were accompanied by former vice-president Zeng Qinghong , Jiang's closest protégé, and former vice-premier Li Lanqing , who wrote the musical.
Photos posted online showed Jiang, although in need of some assistance, in relatively good health and enjoying the 150-minute show, which had only one short interval.
He shook hands and took a group photo with performers after the show and made a short speech praising Li's drama, said witnesses and postings.
Beijing-based independent political analyst Chen Ziming said Jiang's move served as an obvious reminder he was still able to influence key personnel decisions ahead of the national congress.
Additional reporting by Choi Chi-yuk


Saudi Aramco’s panda bond may be an endangered deal as market’s small size hinders fundraising by oil giants, bankers say

Coronavirus outbreak at Muslim group Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi spurs Islamophobia in India

Coronavirus fears will further slow Hong Kong’s sluggish construction work, say analysts, as property transactions slump to 13-month low

Convoy fraud: Roy Cho could face seven years in jail after case is referred to District Court

Jiang Zemin serves a reminder of his influence with rare appearance