Economic architect Zhu Rongji dies aged 97 after transforming modern China

Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, whose structural reforms and globalisation efforts transformed China into an economic powerhouse, has died at the age of 97 in Beijing. Zhu spearheaded China's accession to the World Trade Organization and laid the foundation for its emergence as the world's second-largest economy. State news agency Xinhua confirmed his death following an official tribute by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Zhu served as vice-premier from 1993 before becoming premier in 1998, holding the position until his retirement in March 2003. Zhu's reforms included dismantling state monopolies, restructuring the state-owned enterprise sector, overhauling the national tax system, and steering China through the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. However, his reforms also resulted in significant social costs, including the dismantling of traditional employment and welfare guarantees for state workers.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim mourned Zhu's passing, describing him as a great architect of China's economic transformation and a close friend. Anwar recalled how the two worked together during the 1990s to deepen economic and financial ties between Malaysia and China, with many of their achievements still shaping their relationship today.