Zhu Rongji’s death a reminder of what US-China relations have lost
With the death of former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, both China and the wider world have lost a great leader. Zhu took personal risks for better US-China ties. He believed that productive Sino-American relations were good for China and for the world. He was a global leader before China had achieved its current great power status. In mid-1990, when I was president of the National Committee on…
The passing of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji signals a significant loss for both China and the global community. Zhu's leadership was marked by his dedication to fostering US-China relations, believing they benefited both nations and the world at large. Before China's rise to great power status, Zhu was a global leader.
In 1990, as president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, Zhu visited the US at a time fraught with tension due to the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. He faced risks in defending his government's actions abroad, but his pragmatic and cosmopolitan approach endeared him to many. Zhu's ability to bridge cultural divides and convey reality as he saw it earned him trust from Chinese citizens and foreigners alike.
Zhu's unique leadership style was characterized by his pragmatism, inquisitiveness, humor, and ability to communicate across cultural divides. He believed that China and the US, despite their differing systems, were "mixed systems" and needed a balance of planning and market dynamics.
His interactions with US Congress were marked by a willingness to engage in dialogue, even when faced with potential hostility. Zhu once joked that a congressional meeting reminded him of his barber shop, highlighting his ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds.
Zhu Rongji was not only China's leader but also the world's. His loss leaves a void in terms of a leader who could foster constructive global approaches.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
