Former president Jiang Zemin passed away in Shanghai yesterday, aged 96.

On behalf of the government of the Macau Special Administrative Region (MSAR) and in his own name, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng expressed deep condolences for the passing of Jiang and extended sincere condolences to his family, according to a statement released by the Macau Government Information Bureau (GCS) tonight.

Ho said in the statement that Jiang was an outstanding leader enjoying high prestige acknowledged by the whole Communist Party of China (CPC), a great Marxist, great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist and diplomat, a long-tested communist fighter, and an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and he was the core of the Party’s third generation of central collective leadership and the principal founder of the Theory of Three Represents.

Ho underlined that Jiang was very concerned about the development of Macau and the lives of Macau compatriots, and pointed out that he visited Macau twice during his tenure.

On December 19-20, 1999, Jiang attended the ceremonies which marked the nation’s resumption of exercising its sovereignty over Macau, the establishment of the MSAR and the swearing-in of its first government. Ho described this an “important historical moment” that left Macau compatriots with an “indelible memory”. Ho underlined that Jiang also visited Macau on the first anniversary of its return to the motherland in December 2000, when he attended a string of activities and had friendly contact with residents who all still vividly remember his voice and smile.

“Now that he has passed away, we are truly saddened. We will always remember him and miss his contributions to the country and the people,” Ho said.

Meanwhile, the national and regional flags will fly at half-mast to mourn Jiang’s passing from tomorrow until the day of his funeral, which has yet to be announced. 

Undated file photo of Jiang Zemin who passed away in Shanghai yesterday, aged 96. – Xinhua