Jiang retires, proposes Hu to succeed
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-09-19 21:20

China Sunday published Jiang Zemin's letter resigning from his position as chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Hu Jintao, chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. [Xinhua]

In the letter to the Political Bureau of the Party's Central Committee, dated Sept. 1, Jiang offered to retire from the post and proposed that Hu Jintao succeed him as CMC chairman.

"Comrade Hu Jintao would be completely qualified for the post, and (the proposed appointment) is also good for the adherence to the fundamental principle and system of the absolute leadership of the Party over the armed forces," Jiang said in the letter.

The Fourth Plenum of the 16th CPC Central Committee, which concluded in Beijing Sunday, approved Hu's succession after accepting Jiang's resignation.

Hu, 61, is the president of China and also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee. He was vice-chairman of the CMC prior to his new appointment.

In his letter, Jiang said he informed the central committee before the 16th CPC National Congress that he desired to retire.

Jiang Zemin, former chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China. [Xinhua]

"The central committee accepted my request at that time, while, from the overall point of view, making a decision that I retained the chairmanship of the Central Military Commission of the Party and the State due to the consideration of the complex and changing international situation and heavy tasks of the building of national defense and the armed forces," he wrote.

Jiang retired from the Party's top post and bowed out of the Party Central Committee at the 16th CPC National Congress in November 2002. He stepped down from the state presidency one year later. Hu took over both positions.

"Afterwards, I carry out my duty as commissioned by the central committee whole-heartedly, and has always respected and supported the work of the collective central leadership," Jiang wrote." (But)from the long-term development of the undertaking of the Party and the people, I has been expecting complete retirement from leadership position."

The Party's 16th Congress with Hu as general secretary has made many great achievements in both the Party and China, winning support and trust of the cadres and the people, said Jiang.

The leaders elected by the 16th Party congress and the First Plenary Session of the Party's 16th Central Committee have made great strides, which will be capable of withstanding the country's rapid development as it opens up to the outside world, according to the letter.

"After careful consideration, I intend to resign from my current post, which is good for the development of the undertakings of the Party, the State and the armed forces," wrote Jiang. "It is my sincere hope that the central committee would accept my request, and I would offer to the National People's Congress to resign as chairman of the CMC of the People's Republic of China."

In his letter, Jiang said he greatly cherished the Party and the Chinese people, because their undertakings have been his life for the past six decades.

"I will be loyal to the undertaking of the Party and the State forever, and will always be a loyal member of the Communist Party of China," he wrote.

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