China Denies Death Of Former President Jiang Zemin

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin (left) on a visit to Iran in 2002

China has denied reports that former President Jiang Zemin died, after a Hong Kong television station announced his death.

The Chinese state-run Xinhua news agency denied the 84-year-old Jiang -- who reportedly still wields a lot of power -- had died, citing "authoritative sources."

Jiang is in poor health, and some reports say he is in intensive care at a Beijing military hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Hong Kong's Asia Television has publicly apologized for the report.

The broadcaster had interrupted its main newscast late on July 6 to announce solemnly that Jiang had died and said it would air a special one-hour program on Jiang, which it later cancelled.

compiled from agency reports