Jiang's 'support' a sign that all is not yet well

Former president Jiang Zemin's rare public endorsement of Xi Jinping was a rallying call for the various factions within the Communist Party to unite at a critical juncture.

The unusual boost from a powerful party elder was also seen as a sign that the current president and party chief still lacked the confidence or authority to push imperative economic reforms and advance real political change, despite the unprecedented challenges facing the country.

The remarks by Jiang - praising Xi as a "strong and capable leader" who had his full confidence - came earlier this month during a meeting with former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, but were not reported until Monday.

"The development is a worrying sign that the new leader still lacks the authority within the hierarchy, even more than half a year into office," said Johnny Lau Yui-siu, a veteran China watcher.

Chen Ziming, a political affairs commentator, said the appearance suggested Xi was still having trouble consolidating support for his agenda. "It revealed the division within the party over reform and policy direction," Chen said.

Since becoming the party's general secretary in November, Xi has launched a nationwide campaign to crack down on corruption, cut bureaucracy and enforce discipline on party officials - moves many hoped were a prelude to political reform.

Xi's administration was also expected to push a sweeping plan to fix the deep-seated structural problems dragging down the economy at an upcoming party plenum. Such campaigns would require broad party support.