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Zhu Rongji

Born on October 1, 1928 in Changsha, Hunan, Zhu Rongji mayor and party chief in Shanghai between 1987 and 1991, before becoming vice premier and then the fifth premier of the People's Republic of China. He held that position between March 1998 and March 2003. He is known for taking a tough stance against corruption in the government and pushing difficult reforms of the state sector.

Born

23 Oct 1928

Industry

Politics

Job Title

Former Premier of China

Zhu Rongji (front, second left), then mayor of Shanghai, visits the Hong Kong Trade Development Council offices on June 13, 1990, during a trip to Hong Kong. Photo: Sam Chan

Mainland China

Opinion | Zhu Rongji’s personal touch is not easily forgotten

A brief encounter with the former Chinese premier highlighted that he was not just a hard hitter but skilled at forging human connections.

19 Aug 2026 - 4:30PMvideocam

Video | Final farewell for China’s former premier Zhu Rongji

19 Aug 2026 - 11:17AM

China’s Communist Party

Xi Jinping leads party elite in final farewell for ex-premier Zhu Rongji

19 Aug 2026 - 5:09PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | How has John Lee’s ‘new chapter’ for Hong Kong promise held up?

As the chief executive works on both his policy address and a five-year plan for the city, more boldness, reforms and innovation are needed.

17 Aug 2026 - 9:30AM

John Lee Ka-chiu at an chief executive election campaign rally at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on May 6, 2022. Photo: Felix Wong

China’s Communist Party

China to fly flags at half-mast for former premier Zhu Rongji’s funeral

The late statesman, known for his pivotal role in transitioning China towards a market economy, will be cremated in Beijing on Tuesday.

16 Aug 2026 - 7:58PM

Hong Kong politics

Flags to fly at half-staff in Hong Kong as tribute to late ex-premier Zhu Rongji

Flags will be lowered on Tuesday at government headquarters, Government House, border crossings and Hong Kong airport.

16 Aug 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

US-China relations

Opinion | Zhu Rongji’s death a reminder of what US-China relations have lost

The current state of US-China ties shows the importance of leaders like Zhu, who was pragmatic, cosmopolitan and committed to constructive engagement.

15 Aug 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

New York mayor David Dinkins (centre right) is presented with a hand-painted fan from Shanghai mayor Zhu Rongji (centre left) in the Blue Room of City Hall in New York on July 10, 1990. Photo: AP

Mainland China

As I see it | Was the late Zhu Rongji responsible for the original ‘China shock’?

US and other Western multinationals were all chasing the lowest price that China offered – and willing to sacrifice jobs for easy profits.

15 Aug 2026 - 5:30AM

SCMP Highlights

The death of China’s former premier Zhu Rongji

From world leaders paying their respects to his economic legacy, here is some of the SCMP’s reporting on Zhu Rongji’s death.

14 Aug 2026 - 2:39PM

SCMP Highlights

China tests canal link to Southeast Asia; rocket failure concerns: 7 highlights

From a knife attack at a Hong Kong housing estate to a South Korean star’s apology, here are the top stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

14 Aug 2026 - 12:15PM

A Chinese maritime patrol vessel completes the first full navigation test of the Pinglu Canal. Photo: Handout

Mainland China

Editorial | As China deepens reforms, Zhu Rongji’s legacy serves as an inspiration

The former premier played a key role in the developments that helped shape China’s rise to the world’s second-largest economy today.

14 Aug 2026 - 7:15AM

Zhu Rongji, who was premier of China from 1998 to 2003, has died aged 97. Photo: Robert Ng

Mainland China

How Zhu Rongji’s economic legacy endures in China after former premier’s death

Remembered as a candid, decisive leader, the former Chinese premier championed entrepreneurship, welcomed foreign expertise and brought urgency to economic policymaking.

13 Aug 2026 - 9:48PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Malaysian PM recalls relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji

Anwar joined a number of world leaders in paying tribute to the former Chinese premier who played a key role in opening up the economy.

13 Aug 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

The 11 key achievements of China’s ‘iron premier’ Zhu Rongji – in his own words

As he laid the groundwork for China’s economic transformation, the tough reformer won a reputation for speaking bluntly.

13 Aug 2026 - 5:22PM

As mayor of Shanghai, Zhu Rongji (right) leads an economic delegation to Hong Kong in June 1990. Photo: Robert Ng

China’s Communist Party

Zhu Rongji reforms fuel China’s economic transformation

Straight-talking premier laid much of the groundwork for China’s economic boom, including admission to the World Trade Organization.

13 Aug 2026 - 5:15PM

Zhu Rongji during a 1999 visit to the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Photo: Reuters

Obituaries

Video | Remembering Zhu Rongji

Zhu had a major role in reshaping China’s economy, first as vice-premier and then as premier.

13 Aug 2026 - 1:23PM

China’s Communist Party

Obituary | Zhu Rongji: leading China’s transformation through ‘minefield or abyss’

China’s bold economic tsar who drove sweeping SOE reforms and secured WTO entry has died aged 97.

13 Aug 2026 - 4:34AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

John Lee leads tributes as Zhu remembered for putting steel in city’s spine

Tributes pour in for former premier Zhu Rongji from senior leaders in Hong Kong’s political and business circles.

13 Aug 2026 - 1:00PMvideocam

Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji died on Wednesday. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Mainland China

Video | Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji dies

Zhu served as China’s 5th premier from 1998 to 2003 and spearheaded the country’s entry into the WTO.

12 Aug 2026 - 8:05PM

Obituaries

Zhu Rongji, China’s chief engineer of economic reform, dies aged 97

Zhu, who rose to become premier, spearheaded China’s entry into the World Trade Organization.

13 Aug 2026 - 6:29AMvideocam

China’s Communist Party

China’s continued hunt for corrupt ‘tigers’ snares State Council veteran

Tian Xuebin, who retired as vice-minister of water resources in 2023, served under several premiers.

5 Jan 2026 - 8:18PMvideocam

Tian Xuebin, a veteran of the State Council, China’s cabinet, has been placed under investigation by the party’s top anti-corruption agency. Photo: Handout

China economy

Opinion | What Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy can learn from China’s reformers

Deng Xiaoping and Zhu Rongji’s radical reforms resulted in a leaner government and more dynamic economy: the exact goals of the Musk-Ramaswamy plan.

15 Dec 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with son on his shoulders, is to co-chair the newly created Department of Government Efficiency with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy (in a blue tie). Both men seen before a meeting with Congress members at the US Capitol in Washington on December 5. Photo: AFP

China’s Communist Party

Change of guard at China’s track 1.5 diplomacy channel founded by Zhu Rongji

Former vice-president Wang Qishan becomes honorary chair of Tsinghua University advisory board chaired by Apple’s Tim Cook.

31 Oct 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

China's ageing population

Editorial | Raising the retirement age inevitable amid China’s demographic changes

It is never a good time to tell people they have to work longer but if China’s public pension system is to be saved, there really is no alternative.

18 Sep 2024 - 11:52PM

China economy

Editorial | Fiscal shake-up must be a success for sake of the China economy

Ambitious plan by third plenum aims to overhaul taxation system to help cash-strapped local governments and the people they serve.

25 Jul 2024 - 12:17AM

Expensive public services have cut into consumer spending as Chinese save to care for their children, elderly parents and themselves. Photo: Shutterstock

Two Sessions 2024

Opinion | Why I miss the Chinese premier’s annual press conference after the ‘two sessions’

The much-anticipated press conference at the close of the National People’s Congress was cancelled, discontinuing a customary practice that was established in the early 1990s.

12 Mar 2024 - 8:55AMvideocam

Chinese Premier Li Qiang presides over a press conference after the closing ceremony of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 13, 2023. Photo: AP

China economy

Opinion | ‘Capital’ is still a dirty word in China – it shouldn’t be

Despite its role in supporting China’s economic boom, private capital still carries a whiff of notoriety in the country.

22 Aug 2023 - 7:00AM

Banking & finance

Mao’s former barefoot doctor recalls sole foreign takeover of Chinese bank

Shan Weijian was the co-managing partner of San Francisco-based private-equity firm Newbridge Capital when it took over a controlling stake in Shenzhen Development Bank in 2005.

2 Feb 2023 - 5:19PMvideocam

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Zhu Rongji

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | Zhu Rongji’s personal touch is not easily forgotten

A brief encounter with the former Chinese premier highlighted that he was not just a hard hitter but skilled at forging human connections.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | Final farewell for China’s former premier Zhu Rongji

Xi Jinping leads party elite in final farewell for ex-premier Zhu Rongji

Opinion | How has John Lee’s ‘new chapter’ for Hong Kong promise held up?

As the chief executive works on both his policy address and a five-year plan for the city, more boldness, reforms and innovation are needed.

China to fly flags at half-mast for former premier Zhu Rongji’s funeral

The late statesman, known for his pivotal role in transitioning China towards a market economy, will be cremated in Beijing on Tuesday.

Flags to fly at half-staff in Hong Kong as tribute to late ex-premier Zhu Rongji

Flags will be lowered on Tuesday at government headquarters, Government House, border crossings and Hong Kong airport.

Opinion | Zhu Rongji’s death a reminder of what US-China relations have lost

The current state of US-China ties shows the importance of leaders like Zhu, who was pragmatic, cosmopolitan and committed to constructive engagement.

As I see it | Was the late Zhu Rongji responsible for the original ‘China shock’?

US and other Western multinationals were all chasing the lowest price that China offered – and willing to sacrifice jobs for easy profits.

The death of China’s former premier Zhu Rongji

From world leaders paying their respects to his economic legacy, here is some of the SCMP’s reporting on Zhu Rongji’s death.

China tests canal link to Southeast Asia; rocket failure concerns: 7 highlights

From a knife attack at a Hong Kong housing estate to a South Korean star’s apology, here are the top stories from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Editorial | As China deepens reforms, Zhu Rongji’s legacy serves as an inspiration

The former premier played a key role in the developments that helped shape China’s rise to the world’s second-largest economy today.

How Zhu Rongji’s economic legacy endures in China after former premier’s death

Remembered as a candid, decisive leader, the former Chinese premier championed entrepreneurship, welcomed foreign expertise and brought urgency to economic policymaking.

Malaysian PM recalls relationship ‘well beyond affairs of state’ with Zhu Rongji

Anwar joined a number of world leaders in paying tribute to the former Chinese premier who played a key role in opening up the economy.

The 11 key achievements of China’s ‘iron premier’ Zhu Rongji – in his own words

As he laid the groundwork for China’s economic transformation, the tough reformer won a reputation for speaking bluntly.

Zhu Rongji reforms fuel China’s economic transformation

Straight-talking premier laid much of the groundwork for China’s economic boom, including admission to the World Trade Organization.

Video | Remembering Zhu Rongji

Zhu had a major role in reshaping China’s economy, first as vice-premier and then as premier.

Obituary | Zhu Rongji: leading China’s transformation through ‘minefield or abyss’

China’s bold economic tsar who drove sweeping SOE reforms and secured WTO entry has died aged 97.

John Lee leads tributes as Zhu remembered for putting steel in city’s spine

Tributes pour in for former premier Zhu Rongji from senior leaders in Hong Kong’s political and business circles.

Video | Former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji dies

Zhu served as China’s 5th premier from 1998 to 2003 and spearheaded the country’s entry into the WTO.

Zhu Rongji, China’s chief engineer of economic reform, dies aged 97

Zhu, who rose to become premier, spearheaded China’s entry into the World Trade Organization.

China’s continued hunt for corrupt ‘tigers’ snares State Council veteran

Tian Xuebin, who retired as vice-minister of water resources in 2023, served under several premiers.

Opinion | What Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy can learn from China’s reformers

Deng Xiaoping and Zhu Rongji’s radical reforms resulted in a leaner government and more dynamic economy: the exact goals of the Musk-Ramaswamy plan.

Change of guard at China’s track 1.5 diplomacy channel founded by Zhu Rongji

Former vice-president Wang Qishan becomes honorary chair of Tsinghua University advisory board chaired by Apple’s Tim Cook.

Editorial | Raising the retirement age inevitable amid China’s demographic changes

It is never a good time to tell people they have to work longer but if China’s public pension system is to be saved, there really is no alternative.

Editorial | Fiscal shake-up must be a success for sake of the China economy

Ambitious plan by third plenum aims to overhaul taxation system to help cash-strapped local governments and the people they serve.

Opinion | Why I miss the Chinese premier’s annual press conference after the ‘two sessions’

The much-anticipated press conference at the close of the National People’s Congress was cancelled, discontinuing a customary practice that was established in the early 1990s.

Opinion | ‘Capital’ is still a dirty word in China – it shouldn’t be

Despite its role in supporting China’s economic boom, private capital still carries a whiff of notoriety in the country.

Mao’s former barefoot doctor recalls sole foreign takeover of Chinese bank

Shan Weijian was the co-managing partner of San Francisco-based private-equity firm Newbridge Capital when it took over a controlling stake in Shenzhen Development Bank in 2005.

Opinion | Zhu Rongji’s personal touch is not easily forgotten

Video | Final farewell for China’s former premier Zhu Rongji