2 weeks ago
Zhu Rongji, Architect of China's Economic Rise, Dies at 98
Zhu Rongji was a very important leader in China who helped make the country rich and strong.
He studied economics and taught at a university called Tsinghua.
During a hard time called the Cultural Revolution, he had to leave his job and work as a laborer in a village.
Later, he came back and helped build the city of Shanghai into a big, modern city.
He was in charge of China's central bank and helped the country during a big money crisis in Asia.
Then he became the Prime Minister of China and helped China join a big group called the World Trade Organisation, which let China trade with the whole world.
He worked with an American leader named Henry Kissinger to make this happen.
He retired in 2003 and stayed out of the public eye.
He died last week at the age of 98, remembered as a modest man with a huge legacy.
Zhu Rongji, former Chinese premier, died last week at the age of 98.
He was placed in charge of transforming Shanghai into a global metropolis by Deng Xiaoping.
As premier from 1998 to 2003, he oversaw China's entry into the World Trade Organisation.
He served as governor of the People's Bank of China during the Asian financial crisis of 1997-98.
With Henry Kissinger's support, he helped persuade the Clinton administration to admit China to the WTO.
- Who
- Zhu Rongji, former Chinese premier and architect of China's economic transformation
- What
- Died at age 98; remembered for transforming Shanghai and modernizing China's economy
- Where
- China, particularly Shanghai and Beijing
- When
- Died last week
- Why
- His role in economic reforms, fiscal stabilization, privatization, and China's entry into the WTO
Key facts
- Full name
- Zhu Rongji
- Age at death
- 98
- Role
- Premier of China (1998-2003)
- Earlier role
- Governor of the People's Bank of China
- Key achievement
- Oversaw China's entry into the World Trade Organisation
- City transformed
- Shanghai (Pudong New District)
- Political mentor
- Deng Xiaoping
- Retirement
- 2003; rarely appeared publicly since
Quotes
Henry Kissinger
Former U.S. Secretary of State
“"Why do people support us? Because over the last ten years our economy has been developing… If the economy stagnated for five years or developed only at a slow rate … What effects would be produced? This would be not only an economic problem but also a political one."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"I cannot consider that we can have stability and progress in Asia if China and the United States are in a cold war with each other."”
deccanchronicle.com









