Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji dies aged 97

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, a pivotal figure in China's economic transformation, died on Wednesday at the age of 97. His market-oriented reforms are widely credited with driving the country's extraordinary economic rise during his premiership, which began in 1998.

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The life of comrade Zhu Rongji was a life of revolution, a life of struggle, a life of glory. It was a life dedicated wholeheartedly to serving the people, one given to the communist cause. His passing is a major loss for the Party and the country.

Zhu, known as a "hard-hitting free marketeer," implemented sweeping reforms. These included the privatization of unprofitable state-owned enterprises, the reform of urban housing, and the promotion of home ownership. These initiatives sparked a boom in real estate and construction, which eventually grew to represent a quarter of China's economy. His leadership is also recognized for helping China weather the 1997 Asian financial crisis and for successfully negotiating China's entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, a move that cemented its transition to a global marketplace.

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We must turn our grief into strength, learn from [Zhu’s] revolutionary spirit, noble character and fine conduct, and rally even more closely around the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core.

State news agency Xinhua reported that Zhu passed away in Beijing after medical treatment failed. An obituary jointly issued by China's top political bodies described his life as "a life of revolution, a life of struggle, a life of glory," dedicated to serving the people and the communist cause, calling his passing a "major loss for the Party and the country."

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Deeply saddened by the passing of former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, a great leader and a good friend of Pakistan. Pakistan shares the grief of our iron brother China at this sad hour.

However, Zhu's reformist approach, while lifting millions out of poverty, also contributed to rising inequality. This contrasted with the policies of his successor, Xi Jinping, who came to power in 2012 and has since sought to curb "runaway capitalism," promote a more balanced development path, and crack down on monopolistic private firms and excessive displays of wealth. Despite this shift in policy direction, Zhu's legacy as a key architect of China's modern economic era remains significant.

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The people’s good premier, go in peace