Government Professor Cheng Li was quoted by Agence France Presse in an article "Jiang, China's 'interim leader', still active in semi-retirement", about the current role of Chinese leader Jiang Zemin.
Jiang, 76, gave up the highest position in Communist Party last November during the 16th Party Congress meeting to Hu Jintao. Hu is also expected to accept the state presidency from Jiang when the National People's Congress meets next month.
Even in his semi-retired role, Jiang is still remaining as active. Last week he represented 'the entire Chinese people' in offering his condolences over the South Korean subway train fire and talked on the phone with Russian President Putin on the Iraq issue.
Jiang was a surprise choice when he was chosen by Deng Xiaoping to replace Zho Ziyang. Jiang has struggled during his earlier career as a national leader, and now he is once again struggle to leave a legacy when he retired.
During 14 years of his rule, China's economy experienced the fastest growth rate, entering World Trade Organization and winning the bit for 2008 Olympics. Although he has moved China toward the center stage of global affairs, "Jiang Zemin has never had a good image either domestically or abroad," said Li, "he has been as snobbish and prone to showing off." Jiang's greatest contribution is he was weak in power and was forced to consult with others. According to Li " the legacy of Jiamg Zemin is that he has made an important step by relying on collective leadership, and it can't be reversed. Strongman power politics is over in China."
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