He has some great qualities has ToadyONE of the least understood players in Chinese politics is the former president, Jiang Zemin. On August 17th he will celebrate his 90th birthday, yet he is still thought to exert influence. Rumours swirl in Beijing about strife between him and the current president, Xi Jinping. The life sentence imposed this week on a former general who was once close to Mr Jiang, Guo Boxiong, will fuel such speculation: Mr Guo is the highest ranking military officer to be jailed for corruption since the Communists seized power in 1949.
But there are some in China who are rooting for Mr Jiang, who led China from 1989 to 2002. They call themselves “toad-worshippers”. Mr Jiang (pictured, in the Dead Sea) has earned the nickname Toad thanks to his broad mouth, oversize glasses and generous waistline. At first it was meant as an insult. Now it is commonly used with affection.
When he was president, Mr Jiang was widely regarded as a bit of a buffoon, given to occasional boorishness (eg, combing his hair in front of Spain’s king). More recently, however, he has acquired a cult status...Continue reading
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