Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji has passed away at the age of 97, as reported by state media. The official Xinhua news agency announced that Zhu succumbed to illness in Beijing at approximately 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Known for his impatience and sharp-tongued demeanor, Zhu played a pivotal role in driving China’s remarkable economic growth by implementing significant reforms within the state industry during the 1990s and steering the nation into the World Trade Organization.
Despite facing adversity early in his career, including being exiled to rural areas for advocating reforms in other communist nations, Zhu spearheaded a series of transformative changes during his tenure as premier from 1998 to 2003. His initiatives faced resistance from conservative factions within the Communist Party and state-owned enterprises as he pushed for efficiency and profitability in state-owned companies, resulting in millions of job cuts but positioning China to surpass Japan as the world’s second-largest economy after the United States in 2010.
Building on the groundwork laid by former leader Deng Xiaoping’s reforms in 1979, Zhu played a pivotal role in pivotal moments such as China’s accession to the WTO, a milestone that propelled China into becoming the world’s leading exporter. These reforms contributed to sustaining economic growth above eight percent annually from 2000 to 2010, with a peak of 14.2 percent in 2007.
During his tenure as premier, Zhu gained popularity for his candid criticism of governmental inefficiencies and corruption while shouldering responsibility for shortcomings. His uncompromising approach earned him nicknames like “Boss” and “Madman Zhu.” Zhu, who held the third position in the party hierarchy, behind President Jiang Zemin and Li Peng, championed anti-inflation measures as a deputy premier in the 1990s, laying the groundwork for his later confrontations with conservative forces over the pace of reform.
Zhu’s determination was evident in his efforts to secure China’s WTO membership through arduous negotiations and concessions, ultimately reshaping the nation’s commitment to free trade and driving accountability among local officials to end protectionist practices. Despite facing challenges, including criticism for being either too accommodating or offering insufficient concessions, Zhu’s resolve prevailed, leading China’s successful entry into the WTO in December 2001.
In 1998, Zhu initiated a housing privatization program that triggered a surge in homeownership by selling apartments owned by state entities, ultimately transitioning the majority of urban housing into private hands within a decade. Despite advocating for market-oriented reforms in sectors such as banking and aviation, Zhu remained committed to retaining government ownership and avoided widespread privatization of the economy.
Born in Mao Zedong’s home province of Hunan on October 23, 1928, Zhu’s career endured a prolonged setback after being labeled as a “rightist” in 1957 for endorsing reforms in Hungary and Yugoslavia. Following rehabilitation in 1979, Zhu swiftly ascended the political ladder, becoming deputy Shanghai party secretary and later mayor, where he showcased his adept handling of political unrest during the 1989 protests.
Throughout his career, Zhu distinguished himself by admitting fault and assuming responsibility for governmental failures, a rare trait in Chinese leadership. His willingness to acknowledge shortcomings, such as in the aftermath of natural disasters or tragic incidents, endeared him to the public and humanized the often rigid Communist Party leadership.
Zhu’s legacy extends beyond his economic contributions, as he injected humor into the party’s image, often cracking jokes at his own expense in public appearances. Noteworthy among his achievements was the reform of the tax system, which compelled local officials to remit more revenue to the central government, a feat he humorously suggested merited a Nobel Prize in economics in 1996.