After missteps with Hu Yaobang and Zhao Ziyang, Deng settled on Jiang Zemin and Zhu Rongji as his chosen successors.

Both products of Shanghai, Jiang would assume overall leadership of the party, with Zhu overseeing economic and domestic matters as Premier.

Jiang Zemin (left) and Zhu Rongji shaking hands in 2002