Follow us on TWITTER: http://twitter.com/cnforbiddennews Like us on FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/chinaforbiddennews On 12th August, China's former Premier Zhu Rongji published a new book which is a collection of his speeches and letters in Shanghai. The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) high-profile media reported on it. The CCP's former head Jiang Zemin didn't stay in silent. In Jiang's hometown in Yangzhou, for Jiang Zemin a Yangzhou album release ceremony was being held. However, this news was held back by the CCP media until 13th August. It is no secret that Zhu Rongji and Jiang Zemin were against each other for years. In the late 90s, rumors about Zhu and Jiang's struggles were spread all around. Now, both relates to the news of publishing new books, It indicates that Zhu and Jiang's infighting is continuing. What's the background behind it? Zhu Rongji's new books were selling on the market on 12th August. Yet Jiang Zemin also held a new album release event in his hometown on the same day. The CCP mouthpiece media such as People's Daily website reported on Zhu's news first. Jiang's news was postponed until the next day. Xia Xiaoqiang, current affairs commentator: "Zhu Rongji, as a representative of the CCP's reform and anti-corruption faction, now publishes a new book, in his book, he especially criticized the "privilege group being free from punishment". It likely coincides with the upcoming trial of Bo Xilai and is preparation for Xi Jinping's fight against the big tiger-Zhou Yongkang." Xia Xiaoqiang analyzed that Jiang Zemin is Jiang faction's last sign. The Jiang faction is in disadvantaged situation, thus desperate to pursue a returning of balance. However, from the way the news is being reported by the CCP, Jiang's faction didn't reach its goal. Xia Xiaoqiang: "Zhu Rongji and Jiang Zemin published books at the same time, it is associated with Bo Xilai's trial and rumors reported by the media are that the CCP have internally decided to investigate Zhou Yongkang." Now contradictions in Chinese society have come to the point of irreconcilability. The CCP internally has intensified separation, from the media reports, it openly shows that. Some media used the title "underlying competition", when reporting on Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji. Actually, in the earlier years in Shanghai, people knew that Jiang and Zhu were against each other. Xia Xiaoqiang: "After Zhu became Premier in 1998, Jiang and Zhu had begun a struggle. After the death of Deng Xiaoping, Jiang grasped power of the party, government and military. Jiang found it difficult to intervene in economic industry, it was under control in Zhu's hands. Thus Jiang has always tried hard to get rid of Zhu." Zhu visited the US in April 1999. Zhu didn't win US support to join the WTO, in addition to this, one month later, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, US bombs hit the Chinese Embassy, Jiang therefore used it as excuse to remove Zhu from power. Yet Zhu Rongji took on the rampant smuggling activities in coastal areas, which affected the national tax revenue, and undermined economic order as an excuse to order the forming of a special case investigation team. Shortly after, the "Yuanhua smuggling" scandal broke out. Liu Qikun, current affairs commentator: "Between them are always struggles against each other. It is common practice among high-ranking officials. Jiang Zemin certainly is an evil thug, but I won't say Zhu is good. There is no good person among CCP's top leaders." Xia Xiaoqiang: "Zhu used the Yuanhua case to firmly hold Jia Qinglin, a confidant of Jiang. Zhu intended to extradite Lai Changxing, but failed. Zhu's biggest regret is that he didn't remove Jiang's confidant Jia Qinglin via the Yuanhua smuggling case." At that time, Jiang faction's several key people had involvement in the Yuanhua case. When Lai Changxing, the main suspect was in Canada, he told journalist Sheng Xue that he had support from Jiang's secretary Jia Ting'an and Jia Qinglin, thus he dared to smuggle large quantities of oil, private military vehicles and other strategic materials. Jiang Zemin blocked the extradition of Lai Changxing and arrested Zhu Rongji's close ally Zhu Xiaohua, Chairman of the CITIC Group. Zhu Xiaohua was sentenced to 15 years. At that time, the Yuanhua smuggling case involved tax evasion of 83 billion Yuan ($14 million). Thousands of officials were dismissed, investigated, arrested and sentenced. Involved were many provincial and ministerial level cadres, more than 20 people were sentenced to death.

• published: 15 Aug 2013
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