Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died at the age
of 96 after an illness, according to an obituary jointly issued by China’s top
political bodies and published by state news agency Xinhua.
The obituary said Zhu died in Beijing late Wednesday
morning after medical treatment failed to save him.
Zhu became China’s premier in 1998 and quickly gained
a reputation as a strong advocate of market-oriented economic reforms.
During his tenure, he spearheaded several major
economic reforms, including a broad programme aimed at restructuring and
privatising unprofitable state-owned enterprises.
He also played a key role in the privatisation of
urban housing and promoted home ownership as part of efforts to transform
China’s economy.
Xinhua described Zhu as “an outstanding member of the
Communist Party of China” and a loyal communist who had devoted his life to the
party and the country.
“The life of comrade Zhu Rongji was a life of
revolution, a life of struggle, a life of glory,” the obituary stated.
It added that Zhu’s life was dedicated to serving the
Chinese people and advancing the communist cause, describing his death as a
major loss to the Communist Party and China.
Zhu’s legacy remains closely associated with the
economic transformation and structural reforms implemented during his years in
senior government, particularly his efforts to modernise state-owned
enterprises and expand market-oriented policies.
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