Zhu Rongji, Chinese premier who cajoled economy into modern era, dies at 97

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who died Wednesday at 97, was renowned for his unvarnished assessments. His published speeches, released in 2011, shocked readers with candid critiques of shoddy infrastructure and incompetent bankers. These blunt pronouncements became bestsellers, offering a stark contrast to the often bland public statements of his contemporaries.

The reaction to Zhu's speeches also highlighted anxieties within China as it approached a leadership transition. Reformists and intellectuals saw his words as a mirror reflecting the conservatism of current leaders. Many of the economic problems that plagued China as Xi Jinping prepared to take power were prominent in Zhu's speeches: local government debt, reckless bank lending, inflation, rapid urban expansion, and pervasive corruption.

"Our country faces many potential crises that could erupt at any time," Zhu stated in early 1998. He acknowledged public discontent, particularly regarding official corruption, the widening wealth gap, and the tyrannical behavior of some local officials.

Zhu, a Tsinghua University graduate and Communist Party member since 1949, rose through the ranks after enduring the Cultural Revolution. As Shanghai mayor, he initiated the city's transformation into a global financial center. In Beijing, he championed reforms that propelled China from an isolated communist state to an economic powerhouse.

During his tenure, Zhu curbed economic overheating, privatized state-owned enterprises, centralized tax authority, and initiated housing reforms that fueled a real estate boom. He also masterfully guided China into the World Trade Organization in 2002, overcoming fears that concessions made during negotiations would hinder the economy.

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Our country faces many potential crises that could erupt at any time. Ordinary people are discontent about us in many ways. Especially, there is corruption among officials, the gulf between rich and poor, and the way some local officials act like tyrants.