By Shannon Tiezzi
The article from People’s Daily seems to be a veiled reference to former leader Jiang Zemin.
The August 10 edition of People’s Daily, an official newspaper of the Chinese Communist Party, carried a short commentary discussing the phenomenon of supposedly retired officials continuing to exert their influence on Party and government decisions. The piece notes that “most” leading cadres gracefully leave the political stage upon their retirement – but “some leading cadres not only plant ‘trusted aides’ [in key positions] during their time in office to create circumstances in which they can exercise their power in the future, but are still unwilling to give up control of important affairs in their old departments many years after their retirement.”
According to the commentary, these meddling officials create difficulties for new leadership, making it hard for them to complete their work. Interference from retired officials also creates a “debased mood” in departments where it occurs, as officials are unwilling to act.
That retired officials should be retired in both name and deed is a “social rule,” People’s Daily argues. After leaving their original positions, officials “naturally will no longer possess their original authority or status.” The piece called on retired cadres to “promptly adjust their attitude and adapt to life changes, so as to avoid sinking into endless troubles.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat