Archive · 12 Aug 2026
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Dies at 97
An important leader from China has died.
His name was Zhu Rongji and he was 97 years old.
He used to be the Premier of China, one of the most powerful jobs in the country.
He helped change China's economy from an old Soviet-style system to one where state companies act more like private businesses.
He closed down small factories that were not working well.
He also helped China join the World Trade Organisation in 2002.
Under his leadership, China's economy grew very fast.
Some people praised him for this, but others said he left problems like local debt for the next leaders.
He was known for being tough and speaking his mind.
Chinese state media called him a "loyal communist fighter."
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died on Wednesday at age 97 in Beijing.
He died of an unspecified illness at around 11:06 am local time, according to Xinhua.
Chinese state media honored him as a "loyal communist fighter" and "outstanding leader."
He brought China into the World Trade Organisation in 2002 and is seen as the chief architect of modern Chinese state capitalism.
He was praised for delivering double-digit growth but criticized for leaving structural imbalances, local debt issues, and factory closure fallout.
- Who
- Zhu Rongji, former Premier of China
- What
- Died at age 97; obituaries honor him as architect of modern Chinese state capitalism who brought China into the World Trade Organisation
- When
- Wednesday, at around 11:06 am local time
- Where
- Beijing, China
- Why
- Died of an unspecified illness
Supporters
Critics
Economic legacy
Supporters
Zhu is celebrated as the "free-marketeer" who brought China into the World Trade Organisation and delivered double-digit growth.
Critics
He is criticized for leaving structural imbalances, local debt issues, and factory closure fallout for his successors.
Assessment of his ideology
Supporters
Western media hails him as a neo-liberal stalwart within the Chinese Communist Party.
Critics
Others view him as more of a statist than a capitalist, who built modern Chinese state capitalism and preserved state-controlled monopolies.
- Deceased
- Zhu Rongji
- Role
- Former Chinese Premier
- Age at death
- 97
- Date of death
- Wednesday, around 11:06 am local time
- Place of death
- Beijing
- Cause of death
- Unspecified illness
- Key achievement
- Led China into the World Trade Organisation (2002)
- Legacy
- Chief architect of modern Chinese state capitalism