Former Chinese Prez Jiang Zemin passes away

China’s former president who oversaw its accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, died on Wednesday in Shanghai, state media reported.

Jiang Zemin was 96 years old. Jiang’s absence from the 20th Communist Party congress in October, as well as the party’s centenary celebrations last year, were read as clear signs of ailing health, South China morning post said.