Jiang Zemin: The 60 Minutes Interview

Former President Jiang Zemin, who led China after the bloody 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, has died. He was 96.

In 2000, Mike Wallace asked Zemin if he admired the courage of the pro-democracy students at Tiananmen.

#60Minutes #News #China

"60 Minutes" is the most successful television broadcast in history. Offering hard-hitting investigative reports, interviews, feature segments and profiles of people in the news, the broadcast began in 1968 and is still a hit, over 50 seasons later, regularly making Nielsen's Top 10.

[nuzayerov]

"Too young, too simple, sometimes naive"
-Jiang Zemin

[Cindy-wrxj]

Among all the Chinese leaders, Mr. Jiang is the most charismatic one: he was well-trained in science and technology, multilingual, humorous, and was not afraid to show some temper in public. We had watched him arguing with reporters, playing Hawaiian guitar in governor’s party, and laughing with leaders from other countries. He led to China through a difficult time and helped to open the country to the western world. There are of course pros and cons of his work, but overall I think he did a great job! R.I.P. Mr Jiang!

[AA-kjic]

Looking back Mr Jiang is really charismatic and well educated. Fluent in different languages, and smile to criticism. Has the character of a leader.

[ukegbunnaemeka]

Elder Jiang was truly one of the greatest leaders of the 21st century. Under him China experienced the true meaning of the "Great leap forward".

[WongKinYuenHK]

Damn, those were great responses from Jiang. Could you imagine current authoritarians being asked those questions likes "are you a dictator" or wagging fingers at them. Jiang was confident enough to laugh along and not end the interview the second a confrontational question was asked which I think is amazing.

[MichaelAppello]

This is an interview that (1) would never happen today and (2) is so revelatory and informative of the basis of US-China relations.

[tao]

It was a really tough interview, and he did excellent

[zosua]

such a politician with wisdom and confidence is very rare

[shawnyan]

He handled this so well like no one else! Turely tough questions Wallace raised!

[黄滔-yd]

Seeing this interview after almost 25 years, it’s just astonishing and sad at the same time. We may never go back to such open and reflecting area.

[chanjohan]

Last time I thought Jiang is a joke, until now I finally realize I am too young too simple

[lukelupiano]

he is a very charistamic person, Jiang Zemin, really keeps calm under tough questions and laughs as if its a normal conversation

[lingxinzhang]

Hopefully 60 Minutes will release the uncut full footage on this YT channel in its original edition. While we mourn the loss of a legendary leader, the world has missed journalists like Mike Wallace. This mesmerizing conversation would not have been possible without the common ground of undistorted facts and open minds for mutual understanding.

[simplica]

Jiang made total sense with his short and concise answers. China has grown much under him and His words are still ringing true even now!

[Vegathlete]

So intelligent was his perspective, tolerance, discretion, and humor. Clearly, this was a man of wisdom and conviction, tempered with an open mind. Jiang Zemin is dearly missed and so is Mike Wallace.

[riverliuyuhai]

As a Chinese, I have to say that even today, we are still influenced by the legacy and the momentum that President Jiang and his leadership team built 30 years ago. I enjoy watching this tough interview: some real conversation. Unfortunately Chinese leaders today may not want to face this kind of tough questions…

[RjhnlyNm]

I just found out why this 60 minutes interview resurfaced just now, Former President Jiang Zemin died today.

[pplesandoranges]

美國的華萊士比你們不知高到哪去了，我跟他談笑風生！
(America's Wallace is so much more superior to you, I had a great chat and laugh with him!)

-- Jiang Zemin castigating Hong Kong reporters, 27/10/2000

[POPE_FRANCS]

Though I don't agree with Jiang Zemin on many of his views I admit that he handled himself extremely well in the interview, and I greatly respect him for having done it

[urmwhynot]

I didn't know this leader of China, I was too young. But I think he explains how China and the west are different, and in a very respectful way. That is my feeling.