China censors internet rumors on Jiang Zemin's death

The question on many peoples lips at the moment is whether or not former Chinese president Jiang Zemin dead? But China appears to be censoring any online discussion on this subject, and the state news agency has denied rumours that the retired head of state has died.

A Hong Kong television channel announced Jiang Zemin's death during a news broadcast on Wednesday night. The information had not been confirmed by authorities in Beijing, but the news spread across the net like wildfire.

And across state owned news portals, like this one based in Shandong province, which had set up a special tribute page for the former president. It was then removed as the subject soon became banned on the web.

And the words Jiang Zemin have been banned from social networks, as have the majority of nicknames given to him by the country's web users. Even the name of the military hospital in Beijing where he was reportedly admitted, has been blocked. Web users had in fact noticed the increased security around this establishment in recent weeks, a hospital where China's top officials are treated.

Speculation about Jiang Zemin's health has been rife and was fueled by his conspicuous absence from the Communist Party's 90th birthday celebrations on July 1st. and the subject appears to be a sensitive one, as China is preparing to transition to a new generation of leaders next year.

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