Bo Guagua's tribute to Zhu Rongji sparks speculation about Xi Jinping and his father

Bo Guagua, the son of former Chinese Politburo member Bo Xilai, has paid tribute to the late former Premier Zhu Rongji, whose death at 98 has prompted reflections on China's economic reforms and political figures.

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No matter what ideology or theory the government advertises, it should ultimately be judged by one standard: whether the people under its governance are prosperous.

In a social media post, Bo Guagua recalled childhood memories of watching state television with his grandmother, noting her particular attention whenever Zhu Rongji appeared, reminiscent of her memories of Premier Zhou Enlai. He described Zhu's life as "so brilliant" and suggested a "smiling commemoration" rather than a somber one.

Bo Guagua emphasized that regardless of a government's ideology, its ultimate success should be measured by the prosperity of its people. He praised Zhu Rongji's tenure for creating "astonishing" wealth for China, both in total and per capita terms, drawing parallels with Singapore's former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. He also revealed that his father, Bo Xilai, considered Zhu Rongji his "Grandpa Zhu" and admired his steadfastness amidst political complexities and criticism, particularly his focus on "development is the hard truth" and pragmatic governance.

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My father was deeply inspired by his spirit of dedication and working until death.

The post, however, quickly drew a polarized reaction online. Some netizens questioned the sincerity of Bo Guagua's tribute, with comments ranging from "Did you cry at the wrong grave?" to linking his father's downfall to Zhu Rongji's alleged support during the crackdown. Others used the post to criticize Bo Xilai's "singing red" campaign in Chongqing, while some speculated about Bo Guagua's own political future and his father's potential release, linking it to the current leadership under Xi Jinping.

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When they arrested your father, Zhu also agreed.