Malaysia’s Anwar looks back on relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji
Tributes have been flooding in for former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, the reformist statesman who played a leading role in integrating China’s economy into the global system and charmed neighbouring countries with his candid diplomacy. In a deeply personal tribute posted on social media, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim described Zhu, who died on Wednesday at the age of 97, as “a good…
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has remembered former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji as "a good friend" in a poignant tribute following the statesman's death at 97. The friendship between the two leaders was not confined to the realm of state affairs, but also included a personal bond, with Zhu arranging for Anwar to visit Confucius’ ancestral home and other significant historical sites.
Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong echoed the sentiment, describing Zhu as an "old friend" and highlighting his support for a joint economic megaproject between Singapore and China. Zhu's role in establishing the US$20 billion industrial park in Suzhou remains a testament to his vision and influence.
Former US Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who worked closely with Zhu during China's accession to the World Trade Organization, lauded Zhu's formidable economic policymaking skills. He believed Zhu was responsible for enhancing the living standards of more people than any other economic technocrat in history, and emphasized that China's economic potential could only be fully realized with the identification and empowerment of leaders like Zhu.
Zhu's impact extended beyond economics, as evidenced by his 2000 visit to Japan, where he addressed a range of topics, including trade relations, human rights, and historical events. His efforts to foster better relations between China and Japan laid the groundwork for the strong bilateral ties that exist today.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
