Jiang Zemin’s Son Suspected of Buying Support of Ally of Jiang Zemin’s Successor

Mainland Chinese media have been speculating about the political reasons behind the recent resignation of Jiang Mianheng, the elder son of former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin.

Jiang Mianheng, son of former Chinese communist leader Jiang Zemin, hosts the 2011 annual work meeting of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Jiang stepped down from president of the Chinese Academy of Science’s Shanghai branch, announced by official on Jan. 8, 2015. Screenshot/China Academy of Sciences

Mainland Chinese media have been speculating about the political reasons behind the recent resignation of Jiang Mianheng, the elder son of former Chinese Communist Party leader Jiang Zemin.

Mianheng resigned from his position as president at China’s top scientific research institute, the Chinese Academy of Science’s Shanghai branch, “Due to reasons of age,” the academy announced on Jan. 8. However, at 64 years old, Jiang Mianheng, (born in April 1951), is still a year younger than the age at which officials normally retire, 65.

Last November the semi-official media outlet Caixin reported on Jiang Mianheng’s business ties with the brother of sacked high official Ling Jihua. People speculate that article may have contributed to the early resignation of Jiang.

The nearly $32 million in assistance to Ling Wancheng's career matched the time when Ling Jihua was promoted and when Jiang Mianheng's father, Jiang Zemin, retired.