Former Chinese prime minister Zhu Rongji has passed away at the age of 97, as reported by state media. The official Xinhua news agency disclosed that Zhu succumbed to an illness in Beijing around 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Known for his impatience and sharp-tongued demeanor, Zhu played a pivotal role in driving China’s economic surge in the 1990s by implementing drastic reforms in the state sector, eventually steering the nation into the World Trade Organization.
Initially banished to rural areas for endorsing reforms in other communist nations, Zhu emerged as a key figure in enforcing a series of transformative policies during his tenure as premier from 1998 to 2003. Despite facing opposition from Communist Party traditionalists and state enterprise leaders, Zhu spearheaded the restructuring of state-owned firms to enhance efficiency and profitability. This overhaul, albeit resulting in significant job losses, propelled China to surpass Japan as the world’s second-largest economy after the United States in 2010.
Expanding upon Deng Xiaoping’s reforms from 1979, Zhu is credited with providing the determination and foresight to enact groundbreaking initiatives such as China’s WTO accession, which played a crucial role in propelling China to become the globe’s leading exporter. These measures facilitated sustained economic growth of over eight percent annually from 2000 to 2010, peaking at 14.2 percent in 2007.
Assuming the role of premier at the age of 69 in 1998, Zhu garnered popularity for his candid criticism of bureaucratic inefficiencies and corruption, often taking responsibility for governmental shortcomings. His rigorous leadership style earned him monikers like “Boss” and “Madman Zhu.” Zhu’s commitment to combating corruption was evident when he famously remarked in 1998, “I have prepared 100 coffins here — 99 for corrupt officials and one for myself,” as reported by the People’s Daily.
Ranked third in the party hierarchy behind President Jiang Zemin and National People’s Congress Chairman Li Peng, Zhu gained prominence as a deputy premier in the 1990s by curbing inflation through stringent price controls and restructuring support to loss-making state enterprises, despite facing resistance from local authorities.
An instrumental figure in securing China’s WTO membership, Zhu navigated arduous negotiations that commenced in the 1980s, enabling the country to embrace free trade principles and compelling local officials to cease favoritism towards certain enterprises. Zhu’s efforts faced challenges, notably during a crucial visit to Washington in 1999 to secure U.S. backing for China’s WTO bid. Despite setbacks and domestic criticism, China eventually joined the WTO in December 2001 under Zhu’s leadership.
In 1998, Zhu kickstarted China’s housing market boom by launching an initiative to privatize apartments owned by state entities, leading to a surge in private homeownership within urban areas. However, Zhu maintained a stance against full-scale privatization of the economy, contributing to the development of plans in the 1990s to transform state-owned enterprises like banks and airlines into profit-driven entities while retaining government ownership stakes.
Zhu’s political journey, marked by periods of exile and resurgence, reflects his resilience and unwavering commitment to reform. Born in Mao Zedong’s birthplace of Hunan on October 23, 1928, Zhu faced adversity early in his career for advocating reforms and expressing dissent. After enduring a prolonged hiatus following accusations of being a “rightist” in 1957, Zhu experienced a renaissance in 1979, swiftly ascending the political ladder to assume key roles in Shanghai and national leadership.
Throughout his tenure, Zhu diverged from conventional leadership norms by acknowledging official shortcomings and taking responsibility for failures. His willingness to openly address issues such as corruption and public safety incidents endeared him to the populace, humanizing the political realm with his humor and self-deprecation in public appearances.
Zhu’s legacy endures through his significant contributions to China’s economic evolution and reform agenda, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazing figure in modern Chinese history.