Remembering Zhu Rongji and understanding his legacy

On August 12, news of the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji brought sadness across the nation. As a journalist who had encountered Zhu many times, I was deeply affected by his statesmanship and his genuine affection for Hong Kong. Zhu became the fifth premier of China in March 1998, a time of tremendous transformation as China shifted from a planned economy to a market economy with Chinese characteristics.

Zhu Rongji's stance on Hong Kong was clear from the start. In his inaugural press conference as premier, he declared his love for Hong Kong and his commitment to following the city's Basic Law and relevant laws. Despite the concerns and doubts surrounding Hong Kong's "one country, two systems" principle, Zhu remained steadfast in his support for the arrangement.

Zhu's reformist nature combined with his unyielding principles left a lasting impact on Hong Kong. He dismissed Western wishful thinking about China's socialist system, and his support for Hong Kong's fight against financial speculators in 1998 proved invaluable. Zhu's candid criticism of Hong Kong's policymaking also resonated with the Hong Kong public.

Today, China's current leadership continues to uphold Zhu's approach to Hong Kong, even as the city faces new challenges. History may not repeat itself exactly, but it rhymes with the lessons learned from Zhu's time. For Hong Kong, embracing the one country, two systems model while enhancing its unique identity remains a key focus.