Jiang Zemin leads show of strength by party old guard at 18th congress

Former president Jiang Zemin and other party veterans returned to centre stage at the Great Hall of the People yesterday, demonstrating their continued power to shape the country's future.

The 86-year-old retired party chief, who was rumoured to be near death last year, walked slowly to the stage with the help of an aide immediately behind his successor, Hu Jintao . Jiang mingled with his comrades and appeared in good spirits even before the repeated mention of his name in Hu's 90-minute speech.

Jiang took a central seat next to Hu in the first row, one strictly reserved for the presidium's 41 Standing Committee members. All were there except the 96-year-old Wan Li and the 88-year-old Qiao Shi who have been battling failing health for years. Wan also missed the last party congress five years ago.

The all-important first row looked congested, with many party elders making rare appearances. Their mere presence was seen as an assertion of their influence over China's once-in-a-decade leadership change. Jiang, in particular, has been seen as a reemergent force in the run-up to the party congress.

Zeng Qinghong , a former vice-president and close ally to Jiang, looked the picture of health, sporting a sleek, black pompadour at the age of 73.

A few spots away sat Hu's 96-year-old mentor Song Ping , energetically taking notes through the speech.