Ex-Chinese Premier Zhu, promoter of economic reforms, dies at 97
BEIJING (Kyodo) -- Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who strongly promoted economic reforms under the leadership of President Jiang Zemin and helped
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, a proponent of economic reforms under President Jiang Zemin's leadership, has passed away at the age of 97, according to state-run media. Zhu served as premier from 1998 to 2003, steering significant economic and state-sector reforms that resulted in an average annual growth rate of around 8 percent.
He played a crucial role in China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001. Zhu's proactive fiscal policies helped the nation weather the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s. Former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, who initiated China's economic reforms, highly praised Zhu's expertise in economic policies. Before his tenure as premier, Zhu held positions as mayor and chief of the ruling Communist Party in Shanghai.
Born in Changsha, Hunan Province, Zhu graduated from Tsinghua University in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering and worked at economic planning agencies. During the turbulent Cultural Revolution from 1970 to 1975, he was assigned to rural areas for agricultural work. In October 2000, Zhu visited Japan and agreed with then-Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori on the development of future-oriented bilateral relations.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
