"Under his leadership, the national defense and army modernization process has been a tremendous success," it said.
Jiang presided over a military modernization designed primarily to enable Beijing to back up its threat to use force to reunite Taiwan with the mainland if all else failed. The modernization, focusing on such things as electronics, naval power and training, has a long way to go, however, and is likely to continue at a similar pace under Hu.
China's former president, Jiang Zemin, left, turned over his remaining post as head of the nation's military to President Hu Jintao, right, who is among what the party calls the fourth generation of leaders since the 1949 revolution.
(2003 Photo Greg Baker -- AP)
|
|
The statement also paid tribute to what party officials call the Important Thought of Three Represents, Jiang's idea that the Communist Party should represent free-market business leaders and the vanguard of new thinking as well as peasants and workers who traditionally have been its base.
"The Important Thought of Three Represents is the latest outcome of the localization of Marxism in China, as well as a fundamental guideline for the realization of the magnificent goal of a relatively affluent society in an all-round way," it added. "It must be implemented in all areas of China's socialist modernization drive and be reflected in all aspects of party building."
An Internet commentator said Sunday night that "the mass of the people are now hopeful," while suggesting that Jiang's stepping down could ease efforts by Hu and Wen to improve the lot of Chinese pushed aside by free-market reforms. Many Chinese have expressed support for Wen's gestures in that regard -- for instance, ordering that migrant workers receive back pay sometimes held by employers.
"What good news," the commentator wrote. "Dear Hu, dear Wen, our people trust you. Just do your job as you will."
Jiang's departure from the military commission and Hu's increase in authority were made more complete by the failure of Jiang's close ally, Vice President Zeng Qinghong, to be named as a commission vice chairman under Hu, or even to gain a seat. Some analysts had suggested that Jiang would seek to place Zeng as a vice chairman to perpetuate his influence.
Instead, Xu Caihou, 61, an army general, was promoted from member to vice chairman, and total membership was expanded from eight to 11. Newcomers included Vice Adm. Zhang Dingfa, the navy commander, and Qiao Qingchen, the air force commander. Both branches have received higher priority within the Chinese military under modernization efforts set in motion by Jiang in recent years.
Correspondent Philip P. Pan contributed to this report.
