Chinese newspapers have turned their front pages black, and flags were put at half-mast in mourning the death of the nation’s former president, Jiang Zenim, who died on Thursday (November 30).

The state-owned media entity, Xinhua News Agency, reported that 96-year-old Jiang died from leukemia and multiple organ failure in Shanghai.

Jiang ruled after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest and led his country to economic growth.

He is also widely remembered for his charismatic personality and loved to showcase his talents at state events that entertained the world.