Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies at 97; drove reforms, India ties
- Zhu Rongji died of illness at 97, confirmed by state media.
- He served as premier from 1998 to 2003, overseeing major economic reforms.
- His tenure also saw efforts to strengthen India-China ties.
- He was widely called China's 'economic czar' for his role in modernising the economy.
Beijing mourns a reformer
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, the architect of some of the most consequential economic reforms in modern Chinese history, died of illness on Wednesday. He was 97. His death was confirmed through state media, though no further details of his ailment were immediately released.
Zhu, who served as premier from 1998 to 2003, was widely regarded as the driving force behind China's transformation from a centrally planned system to a market-oriented economy.
The 'economic czar' who reshaped a nation
Born in 1928, Zhu rose through the ranks of the Communist Party with a reputation for bluntness and technical expertise. He earned the sobriquet 'economic czar' for his role in taming inflation, restructuring state-owned enterprises, and opening up China to global trade during the 1990s and early 2000s.
His tenure as premier coincided with a critical period when China pushed for World Trade Organization membership, a move that eventually integrated the country into the global trading system. Analysts credit his fiscal and monetary policies for steering China through the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s without severe economic fallout.
Reforms that left a legacy
Zhu's push for privatising state industries and streamlining government bureaucracy was not always popular, but it laid the groundwork for China's two-decade-long growth surge. He once famously said he was prepared to 'walk through fire and step on landmines' for the sake of reform, a line that captured his combative style.
His policies, while transformative, also carried costs. Millions of workers in state-owned enterprises lost jobs during the restructuring, and the social safety net lagged behind. Yet, historians argue that without his measures, China's rise as an industrial and trading powerhouse would have been far slower.
A bridge to India
Zhu's tenure also saw notable efforts to stabilise and enhance relations with India. During his premiership, both countries worked to build confidence through trade and diplomatic exchanges, even as border disputes remained unresolved.
His pragmatic approach to foreign policy was reflected in his willingness to engage with Indian leaders and business delegations. While he did not visit India as premier, his government's stance helped maintain a delicate equilibrium in bilateral ties during a period of global realignment.
Official responses and next steps
Chinese authorities have not yet announced the full schedule for state funeral arrangements. Foreign governments, including India, are expected to issue formal condolences in the coming days.
Zhu's death marks the end of an era in Chinese economic governance, but his imprint on the country's development is unlikely to fade. The current leadership, facing new economic headwinds, may well look back at his audacious reforms for lessons in navigating turbulent times.