China lowers flags, tightens security for former premier Zhu Rongji's funeral

China lowered national flags at government headquarters to mourn former Premier Zhu Rongji, a no-nonsense reformer who died last week at 97. The move comes as the public reminisces about a bygone era and reflects on his complicated legacy. Security was tightened across Beijing, particularly around Tiananmen Square.

Zhu served as vice premier from 1991 to 1998 and premier from 1998 to 2003. He was instrumental in driving China's economic overhaul during the 1990s. His tenure saw efforts to curb inflation, tighten tax and banking systems, and push through a significant state-sector shake-up that resulted in millions of job losses at unprofitable state firms. These reforms also facilitated China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, deepening its global economic integration.

Zhu's death prompted widespread mourning on Chinese social media. However, a minority of posts welcomed his passing, highlighting the complex and sometimes critical reception of his legacy. Like other former premiers, his death was managed with subdued public expressions of grief under heightened security and censorship. The Chinese authorities often manage the deaths of popular former leaders carefully, as remembrance can sometimes turn into criticism of those in power, a lesson learned from the public outpouring following Zhou Enlai's death in 1976.

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My defining trait - my guiding principle - is independent thinking. I believe I should say what I truly think.