Jiang Zemin served China as its paramount leader from the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Massacre to the early years of the 21st century, presiding over a period of rapid economic growth, reform, political evolution, and expanding global engagement. During his tenure, he had to balance the forces of liberal reform and leftist ideological orthodoxy. While being resolute in his denunciation of corruption, his tenure echoed in a period of unprecedented rent-seeking among Party officials. Jiang’s legacy, though imperfect, will be remembered for guiding China into the world power it is today.