Late Chinese leader Jiang Zemin hailed in memorial service

A photo of the late former Chinese President Jiang Zemin is placed amongst flowers and the word ‘Immortal’ outside the Liaison Office in Hong Kong (AP)

China’s leaders have eulogised the late Jiang Zemin as a loyal Marxist-Leninist who oversaw their country’s rapid economic rise while maintaining rigid Communist Party control over society.

The President and current party leader Xi Jinping praised Mr Jiang in an hour-long address at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People as senior officials, military brass and rank-and-file soldiers stood at attention.