Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Dies at 98; Remembered for Taiwan Election Warning

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, a towering figure in China's economic transformation, has died at the age of 98. He leaves behind a legacy marked by both significant economic achievements and controversial political stances, particularly his assertive approach to cross-Strait relations.

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Taiwan's election is a local election, it is the affair of the Taiwanese people themselves, I do not want to interfere, but we must make it clear that no matter who comes to power, they absolutely cannot engage in Taiwan independence.

In Taiwan, Zhu Rongji is perhaps most vividly remembered for a forceful warning he issued against "Taiwan independence" just three days before the island's historic 2000 presidential election. During a press conference, he declared that no form of Taiwan independence would be tolerated, stating it was the "bottom line" for 1.2 billion Chinese people and that anyone pursuing it would "come to no good end." This intervention, intended to influence the election outcome, is widely seen as a failed attempt by Beijing to sway Taiwanese voters, as Chen Shui-bian of the Democratic Progressive Party narrowly won the presidency, marking Taiwan's first peaceful transfer of power between opposing parties.

Zhu Rongji's career was instrumental in shaping modern China. As Premier from 1998 to 2003, he oversaw a period of rapid economic growth, maintaining rates above 7% annually even during global downturns. He was a key architect of China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), laying the groundwork for the country's future economic powerhouse status. His earlier tenure as Mayor and Party Secretary of Shanghai also saw significant development, particularly the revitalization of the Pudong district, which became a symbol of China's reform and opening-up policy.

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Any form of Taiwan independence cannot be allowed; this is our bottom line, and the voice of 1.2 billion Chinese people. We absolutely do not promise to abandon the use of force to unify. Whoever supports the one-China principle, we will support them; whoever engages in Taiwan independence will come to no good end.

However, Zhu's tenure was not without its critics. His push for state-owned enterprise reform, aimed at making them more efficient and responsible, led to widespread layoffs and rising unemployment, creating social tensions and a mixed public perception of his economic policies. In his farewell press conference in 2003, Zhu expressed a hope that he would be remembered as an honest official who did practical work, reflecting the complex and often contradictory nature of his impact on China.

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I hope that in the future, the people of the whole country can say that I was an honest official, and I will be very satisfied. If they can be more generous and say that Zhu Rongji did some practical things, then I will thank God.