Report: Jiang Zemin Tries to Leave Legacies for China
1998-07-16

Nations China Russia Japan People Deng Xiaoping Jiang Zemin

President Jiang Zemin's achievements in foreign policy will be an integral part of Jiang Theory, which his aides are putting together as his permanent legacy.

A Beijing source said Wednesday Mr Jiang was taking full credit for the progress China had made in boosting its international profile, particularly in relations with the United States.

"Chairman Mao built the new China and patriarch Deng Xiaoping developed its economy," the source said.

"Jiang wishes to be remembered for enabling China to be within striking distance of superpower status."

The source said that after the visit of United States President Bill Clinton, Beijing was convinced it had reached "rough parity" with Washington in terms of international influence.

"In the days of Mao and Deng, China was mainly seen as a leader of the Third World," he said.

"Jiang aides are arguing that, thanks to his leadership, China has achieved a global status equivalent to a major first-world power."

A Western diplomat said the President's advisers began constructing Jiang Zemin Theory early last year.

Mr Jiang's instructions on diplomacy, particularly those on dealing with the US, Russia and Japan, would be a key component of this theory.

The diplomat said Mr Jiang believed once China's status had taken a "leap forward", problems such as Taiwan reunification and sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea would be "automatically resolved".

"Beijing achieved a kind of give-and-take with Washington at the recent summit," he said.

"Beijing recognises the spheres of influence of the US, and Washington respects China's interests in Asia, including those relating to Taiwan."

Political analysts in Beijing said Mr Jiang understood he might be accused by conservative elements as espousing a "pro-US" policy.

But Mr Jiang and his politburo colleagues were convinced they could get substantial rewards, including progress on the Taiwan front, in return for a "relationship of partnership" with Washington.

Aides working on a Jiang Theory included former Shanghai mayor Wang Daohan , Chinese Academy of Social Sciences Vice-President Liu Ji and vice-head of the Communist Party Central Committee Policy Research Office Wang Huning . [SCMP]