Now Reading: Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies at 97
-
01
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies at 97
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, the architect of sweeping market reforms that turned China into an economic powerhouse, died on Wednesday in Beijing at age 97 after an illness, the state-run Xinhua…
The Story in Brief
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, the architect of sweeping market reforms that turned China into an economic powerhouse, died on Wednesday in Beijing at age 97 after an illness, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The obituary, issued by the ruling Communist Party, described him as an 'excellent Party member' and 'outstanding proletarian revolutionist', The Hindu reports.
Zhu served as Premier from 1998 to 2003 after earlier stints as central bank governor and Shanghai mayor. He restructured state-owned enterprises, recapitalised banks, privatised housing, and led China into the World Trade Organisation in 2001. During the Cultural Revolution, he was purged and sent to work in villages. He visited India in 2002 as Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's guest, urging closer economic ties between the two reforming nations.
The Indian Opinion
Mainland Chinese media will naturally cast Zhu Rongji's life in heroic, party-approved terms, 'loyal communist fighter' and all. Indian readers should remember the man who visited India in 2002 and spoke of shared reform journeys, not just the technocrat who broke state enterprises. The real test of his legacy is whether Beijing's current leaders can match his willingness to shrink the state and push market openings, or if the current mood favours tighter control. Watch for any official Chinese commentary that quietly downplays his reforms.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
