China's former president Jiang Zemin has stepped down as chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission.

Sunday's announcement of Jiang's retirement from his last official post in government has completed the transfer of power to President Hu Jintao, who now controls the country's highest state, military, and party posts.

Jiang retired from the Communist Party's top post and from the Party Central Committee two years ago. He stepped down from the state presidency one year later. Hu, who took over both positions, has also succeeded the chairmanship of the Central Military Commission.

Jiang ruled China from 1993 to 2003, rising to power after the violent crackdown on the pro-democracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square.