EX-leader requests to move down protocol order

BEIJING - Jiang Zemin, former general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), has asked the CPC Central Committee to group him with other retired comrades in the leadership's protocol order in the future, according to a statement by relevant authorities.

Jiang made the request after the 18th National Congress of the CPC, which was held in November last year, the statement said, adding that the move reflects "the noble character, sterling integrity and broad-mindedness of a communist."

The change has been evidenced in an official press release of PLA General Yang Baibing's funeral on Monday, in which Jiang's name appeared after incumbent Standing Committee members of the Political Bureau the CPC Central Committee.