Anwar mourns Zhu Rongji, remembers ‘good friend’ who helped deepen Malaysia-China ties

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim mourned the passing of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, expressing his condolences to Zhu's family. Anwar hailed Zhu as a "great architect of China's economic transformation" and a "good friend," crediting Zhu's reforms for the rapid rise of China as an economic superpower. The two had collaborated in the 1990s to strengthen economic and financial ties between Malaysia and China, ties that remain strong today, Anwar noted in a Facebook post.

Anwar shared personal memories of Zhu, including visits to historical sites in China and a memorable visit to Zhu's home library where the former Premier presented Anwar with Chinese classics. Zhu, China's Premier from 1998 to 2003, was known for initiating market-oriented reforms and guiding the country into the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Anwar conveyed his deepest condolences to Zhu's family and the Chinese people.