Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji has passed away at the age of 97, as reported by state media. The official Xinhua news agency confirmed that Zhu died in Beijing due to an illness around 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Known for his impatience and sharp-tongued approach, Zhu played a pivotal role in driving China’s economic growth by implementing significant reforms in the 1990s, including guiding the country into the World Trade Organization.
Originally exiled to rural areas for supporting reforms in other communist nations, Zhu later spearheaded sweeping changes during his tenure as premier from 1998 to 2003. Despite facing backlash from conservative factions within the Communist Party and state-owned enterprises, Zhu’s efforts to enhance the efficiency and profitability of state-owned companies led to millions of job cuts but ultimately contributed to China surpassing Japan as the world’s second-largest economy after the United States in 2010.
Building on the reforms initiated by former leader Deng Xiaoping in 1979, Zhu is credited with demonstrating resourcefulness and determination in implementing groundbreaking initiatives such as China’s accession to the WTO, a move that propelled China into becoming the world’s leading exporter. These reforms under Zhu’s leadership sustained economic growth above eight percent annually from 2000 to 2010, peaking at 14.2 percent in 2007.
Despite his demanding leadership style, Zhu gained popularity for his willingness to criticize government inefficiencies and corruption, often taking responsibility for shortcomings. Referred to as “Boss” and “Madman Zhu,” he once famously remarked in 1998, “I have prepared 100 coffins here — 99 for corrupt officials and one for myself,” according to the People’s Daily.
Positioned as the third-ranking official within the party hierarchy, Zhu’s early accomplishments included curbing inflation as a deputy premier in the 1990s. He took a firm stance against price inflation and unprofitable state enterprises, setting the stage for broader reforms later on. Zhu played a pivotal role in negotiating China’s WTO membership, using free trade commitments to challenge local officials protecting favored companies.
In a significant move in 1998, Zhu kickstarted China’s housing market boom by initiating the sale of apartments owned by state entities, leading to widespread private ownership of urban housing within a decade. Despite these reforms, Zhu advocated for maintaining government control over key sectors, outlining plans to transition state-owned enterprises into profit-driven entities while retaining state ownership.
Zhu’s political journey, marked by periods of exile and rapid ascension, reflected his resilience and commitment to driving change. Born in Hunan province in 1928, Zhu faced setbacks early in his career, labeled a “rightist” in 1957 for endorsing reforms in other countries. Following a period of rehabilitation, Zhu’s career trajectory soared, culminating in his pivotal role in shaping China’s economic landscape.
Acknowledged for his humility and accountability, Zhu broke away from the party’s tradition of infallibility by admitting faults and taking responsibility for governmental shortcomings. His legacy includes pioneering tax reforms that redirected revenue from local to central authorities, a move he humorously suggested merited a Nobel Prize in economics.
Zhu’s tenure as premier left a lasting impact on China’s economic trajectory, solidifying his reputation as a key architect of the country’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse.