Chapter 41: Reassessing Wen Jiabao: Disaster Relief First, Institutional Reform Second, Family Wealth Pending Review

Wen Jiabao (1942– ), born in Tianjin, graduated from the Beijing Institute of Geology. He served as Deputy Director of the Gansu Provincial Geological Bureau, Deputy Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the State Council in 1998, Premier of the State Council in 2003, and retired in 2013.

I. Disaster Relief First: Deep Concern for the People’s Hardships

Among all Chinese premiers, Wen Jiabao ranks first in concern for the suffering of ordinary people. Wherever disasters occurred, Wen Jiabao was always the first to arrive, personally directing rescue and relief efforts.

During the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan, Wen Jiabao immediately flew to the disaster area to command rescue operations. He telephoned the military, ordering the deployment of troops and vehicles for disaster relief. Some military commanders delayed under various pretexts. Wen Jiabao said on the phone: “The people support and sustain you. Now the people are in urgent distress and call on you for rescue. You should think this over…” Wen Jiabao remained at the scene day and night, directing the rescue work.

During the 2008 milk powder contamination scandal, Wen Jiabao visited hospitalized children. Regarding the “Sanlu milk powder” incident, Wen Jiabao ordered a nationwide screening of 30 million children affected by the contaminated milk powder, with the government spending 2 billion yuan. At the same time, the government purchased insurance for the affected children, covering a period of 20 years.

In 2011, the Wenzhou high-speed rail accident resulted in 20 deaths and 172 injuries. Wen Jiabao personally went to console the families of the victims. He said: “I feel distressed hearing about disputes over compensation. Human life cannot be bought with money. The families of the victims spoke reasonably, saying they wanted lives, not money.”

During the 2000s, mining accidents occurred frequently. Wen Jiabao personally went down into mines to offer condolences and conduct investigations, addressing the persistent problem of mine disasters.

Wherever there were major floods or serious natural disasters, Wen Jiabao always appeared, and always arrived first. He became known as the “Premier of Disaster Relief.”

II. Reform of the National Leadership System

Wen Jiabao was the first leader to clearly and repeatedly propose “reform of the national leadership system” and “political system reform.” He stated that reform had reached a “critical stage,” and that without reform of the leadership system, economic reform would be lost, and the tragedy of the Cultural Revolution could reoccur.

Jiang Zemin, acting as a “paramount elder,” blocked the publication of Wen Jiabao’s articles and speeches on political system reform. Wen Jiabao used overseas visits to deliver speeches emphasizing political reform, but Jiang Zemin prevented their reprinting and publication within China, effectively stifling Wen Jiabao’s reformist voice.

Other leaders did not dare to respond. Wen Jiabao was left “alone, fighting single-handedly” against the system. Other leaders watched Jiang Zemin’s reactions; even if they sympathized, speaking out would have been futile, and thus they remained silent.

Unfortunately, Wen Jiabao’s warnings were borne out under Xi Jinping. Xi restored Mao-style autocracy, leading 1.4 billion people by the nose toward his vision of “global governance,” plunging the country into a dangerous abyss.

III. Mourning His Mother: A Critique of the Lack of Fairness and Justice

Wen Jiabao’s mother passed away in 2020 at the age of 91. Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues. Wen Jiabao, adhering to traditional values, published a long memorial essay in her honor. It could not be published domestically and appeared online in Macau instead. When it was reposted inside China, Xi Jinping found it intolerable, and it subsequently disappeared from the mainland internet.

Wen Jiabao reflected on his career: “I worked in Zhongnanhai for 28 years and served as premier for 10 years. Holding office was an accidental matter. I carried out my duties cautiously, as if walking on thin ice.” He continued: “In my heart, China should be a country full of fairness and justice. I have shouted, I have struggled.”

In the ten-thousand-word memorial essay, Wen Jiabao emotionally recalled:

My mother was born in a time of suffering, in a place of suffering;

My mother was strong, independent, and constantly striving upward;

My mother was a kind person full of compassion;

My mother lived a simple life and remained upright and clean;

My mother was resilient and principled;

My mother taught me how to be a person;

In the past eight years, I rarely traveled far and often stayed with her.

Wen Jiabao’s mother was a model of the Chinese mother. Wen Jiabao himself was a model of the modern filial son.

When Mao Zedong’s mother died, Mao was in Changsha. Even after learning of her death, he did not return, saying: “I do not wish to see the pain of death,” let alone accompany her in her final days.

IV. Family Wealth: Pending Review

More than ten years ago, The New York Times published an article claiming that Wen Jiabao’s son, Wen Yunsong, possessed wealth totaling USD 2 billion. Wen Jiabao stated that his son’s affairs had nothing to do with him and that he was willing to make his assets public. However, Hu Jintao did not allow it, saying: “If you disclose your assets, what about the other leaders?”

For over a decade, Wen Jiabao’s family wealth has remained a mystery. Judging from Wen Jiabao himself, he does not appear to be a corrupt official, but his son’s financial entanglements remain unclear and await judicial examination.

Domestic review may fail to convince the public. Why not invite courts from Hong Kong and Taiwan to conduct a joint review, and allow open coverage by Chinese and international media, to make everything completely transparent? If guilt exists, punishment is deserved; if not, the innocent should not be wronged.