China's former leader Jiang Zemin, who came to power after the Tiananmen Square protests, has died at 96.

REACTION: China’s web users remember ‘Grandpa Jiang’

Chinese state media report the cause of death as leukemia, a cancer, and organ failure.State media outlets, including the Global Times and the Xinhua news agency, turned their websites black and white in tribute..Under his stewardship, a formidable economy was forged, the Communists tightened their grip on power, and China took its place at the top table of world powers.

Looking back the years,Jiang guided the country's rise to economic power. He welcomed capitalists into the party and China eventually became the second-largest economy.

Jiang stopped officially working for the government in 2004. But he remained a force that led to the rise of Xi, who took power in 2012. Xi has crushed the little remains of dissent in China and reestablished the power of state industry.

We must conscientiously study the Theory of Three Represents, learn from Jiang's revolutionary spirit and demeanor, as well as his scientific attitude and creative spirit in applying Marxist stand, viewpoints and methods to studying new circumstances and solving new problems. We must strive in unity to build our country into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful, according to the letter.

The cause of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the crystallization of the painstaking efforts and endeavor of generations of communists including Comrade Jiang Zemin. On the journey ahead, the whole Party, the entire military, and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups must follow the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, hold high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, fully implement Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, carry forward the great founding spirit of the Party, maintain firm confidence, unite as one, forge ahead with resolve, and strive in unity to build a modern socialist country in all respects and advance national rejuvenation on all fronts.

Eternal glory to Comrade Jiang Zemin!