Nostalgia, castigation greet Jiang Zemin’s passing on Twitter

By RFA

The death of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin on Nov. 29, 18 years after his retirement from top leadership positions, evoked responses ranging from nostalgia for the rapid economic growth, bold reforms and relative openness of his years in power to denunciations for human rights abuses on his watch.

Radio Free Asia sampled and translated comments on Twitter and other social media, including tweets sent in reply to a request for thoughts on the 96-year-old Jiang’s legacy. Twitter and other U.S. media platforms are blocked in China but some people skirt the ban with VPNs.

Jiang Zemin has just passed away. Shouldn't be relevant news in 2022, but it is. - Phillip Wong @Tetracarbon

Jiang Zemin implemented many policies in Tibet that destroyed Tibetan culture and Religion. - A Tibetan in Spain

A security guard stands next to a portrait of China's former President Jiang Zemin at an exhibition to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing July 7, 2011. Credit: Reuters
A security guard stands next to a portrait of China's former President Jiang Zemin at an exhibition to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) in Beijing July 7, 2011. Credit: Reuters

I don't want to mourn you, Jiang. - A Tibetan Netizen

When he went up, there were a lot of people on the street; when he left, there were still a lot of people on the street. - Keypad @XiaoJianpan624

A considerable number of people miss the opening up and development in the 1990s. - ruby@XiaoJianpan624

The dictator who came up after drinking 6.4 blood imprisoned good people like his predecessor Zhao Ziyang to death. - youlinhui @wuhua595

Going to hell, too, in my opinion. - youlinhui @wuhua595

Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivers his speech during the handover ceremony in Hong Kong, June 30, 1997. Credit: Pool via Associated Press
Chinese President Jiang Zemin delivers his speech during the handover ceremony in Hong Kong, June 30, 1997. Credit: Pool via Associated Press

Objectively speaking, he promoted reform and opening up, took the market economy route, joined the WTO, and opened up the most opportunities for all. An age of opportunity! - Martian @ChanHannah4

From a historical point of view, since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the era of Jiang Zemin is the golden age of China. If the rule of law had been strengthened, it would have been an era that met the expectations of the people. - Old week @HYnZlxwWoIr05wo

A friend pointed out that when HK govt turned their website grayscale for Jiang Zemin they accidentally turned it into the Black Bauhinia flag. Ah the self own - Xun-ling Au @XunlingAu

They miss a happy face on the #CCP #JiangZemin made nice with the world and smoothed the ruffles feathers after the #TiananmenMassacre He brought back #HongKong under a treaty broken by #XiJinping . #Taiwan beware you're next. - Jonny@jonnytheheat

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin [right] taps the arm of Chinese President Xi Jinping during the closing ceremony for the 19th Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct. 24, 2017. Credit: Associated Press
Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin [right] taps the arm of Chinese President Xi Jinping during the closing ceremony for the 19th Party Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Oct. 24, 2017. Credit: Associated Press

Millions of them, with their organs harvested, when they were still alive... in the eye of some western politicians, biz men, they call it "complicated." keep in mind, when you dance w/ Hitler, Jiang Zemin, Xitler...you are vibrating w/ evil, and it will drag you to hell… - SoaringEagle @GaryJWater

Former CCP leader Jiang Zemin, who ordered the persecution and forced organ harvesting of millions of religious and ethnic minorities in China, passed away today from multiple organ failure. - Debbie Grimmer @DebbieGrimmer