SEVERAL of President Jiang Zemin's long-standing foes have professed allegiance to the 'core' of the post-Deng Xiaoping leadership.
While touring Shanghai this month, General Liu Huaqing , 81, praised the fast-paced development of the metropolis, deemed the bastion of the so-called Shanghai Faction led by Mr Jiang.
The veteran PLA officer urged local officials to follow the instructions of Deng and 'the party Central Committee with Jiang Zemin as its core'.
At the 15th Party Congress in September, the general was forced to leave the Politburo Standing Committee at the insistence of Mr Jiang.
The former head of the Navy was considered a major obstacle to the President's bid to impose his authority on the armed forces.
General Liu's public praise for Mr Jiang was considered a victory for the President, who doubles as the head of the Central Military Commission.
Political sources said Mr Jiang had taken measures to build bridges to erstwhile foes, including General Liu.
