Week of September 6, 2002

• INTERNATIONAL: Agreement reached on fate of North Korean refugees
• DOMESTIC: Jiang publishes slimmed down collection of own writings
• INTERNATIONAL: US scholars to publish anonymous papers saying Jiang will retire

Originally intending to publish a multi-volume "Selected Works of Jiang Zemin," President Jiang has decided instead to publish a much smaller one-volume, "Jiang Zemin on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics." Jiang's aides had hoped to publish his "Selected Works" this spring. The "Selected Works" would establish the basis of Jiang Theory or Jiang Discourse, which would then be prominently cited in the revised Party charter. Explaining the decision, a source close to the president's think tanks said, "Jiang is aware of criticisms that he is building a personality cult around himself…Since the selected works of Chairman Mao and Deng Xiaoping only came in several volumes, some of his advisers persuaded him to make do with a less elaborate version of his book." Jiang's "Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" hit bookstores this week, and the Party's General Office asked all cadres to study it carefully.

The source also said that Jiang had apparently agreed not to include reference to Jiang Theory or Jiang Discourse in the revised CCP constitution which will be endorsed at the upcoming 16th Party Congress. Jiang's "Theory of the Three Represents" will likely be enshrined in the constitution, but Jiang's name will not be mentioned as its author. An early draft of the constitution said the Party would "hoist high the flag of Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Theory of the Three Represents."
 
 

Despite some analysts' belief that Jiang will hold on to some, if not all, of his posts, Gilley says the issue of Jiang's retirement is already settled. Instead, Gilley claims, debate has focused on whether Li Ruihuan would remain a member of the politburo standing committee. Jiang, 76, Li Peng, 73, and Zhu Rongji, 73, are expected to step down from the standing committee in accordance with a deal not to seek office after the age of 70. Li Ruihuan, however, is 68 and Jiang allegedly objects to his remaining on the committee. "Li Ruihuan is a liberal in the Chinese political spectrum. Jiang fears that if Li was to remain for another term of office, he may pursue policies that would undermine Jiang's legacy," Gilley said. Jiang's maneuvering to force Li's retirement persisted throughout the leadership meetings at Beidaihe, but now appear to have failed, Gilley continued.