China Mourns Former Premier Zhu Rongji, Architect of Economic Reforms

Beijing, August 18, 2026 – China held a solemn farewell ceremony on Tuesday for former Premier Zhu Rongji, the reformist leader credited with steering the nation toward its modern economic ascent. Zhu died of illness at the age of 97, and his body was cremated in Beijing, with the national flag lowered to half-staff in Tiananmen Square as a mark of mourning.

The ceremony took place at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, the resting place for China's most revered leaders and revolutionary figures. President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other senior officials walked slowly toward Zhu's body, which was draped in the flag of the Communist Party of China. They bowed in tribute and offered condolences to Zhu's family members.

Zhu served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003 under President Jiang Zemin, a period marked by sweeping economic reforms. He was known for his blunt style and relentless push to make state-owned enterprises more efficient and profitable, even at the cost of millions of layoffs. His efforts helped China overtake Japan as the world's second-largest economy in 2010.

A vocal critic of official corruption and incompetence, Zhu famously said in 1998, "I have prepared 100 coffins here - 99 for corrupt officials and one for myself," a remark that endeared him to many. His tenacity earned him nicknames like "Boss" and "Madman Zhu."

Building on the reforms initiated by Deng Xiaoping, Zhu was instrumental in securing China's entry into the World Trade Organization, which transformed the country into the world's largest exporter. During his tenure and the decade that followed, China's economy grew at an average rate of over 8% annually, peaking at 14.2% in 2007.

Zhu's legacy as a reformer who reshaped China's economic landscape will be remembered by both leaders and citizens alike.