Zhu Rongji, a former Chinese premier and one of the most influential figures behind the country's economic reforms, has died at the age of 97. Kyodo News reported the news on August 3, citing international media sources.
Zhu served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003, a period during which the country implemented major economic reforms, opened its markets, and accelerated growth. He was widely recognized for his handling of the 1997–1998 Asian financial crisis and for his policies on state-owned enterprise restructuring and banking system reform.
During his tenure, Zhu pursued fiscal tightening, fought inflation, and worked to stabilize the macroeconomy. After retiring, he rarely appeared in public but remained regarded as one of China's top economic technocrats.
His death marks the passing of a generation of leaders tied to the early phase of China's opening-up and economic development, leaving behind a legacy of far-reaching structural reforms.
