Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies at 97
Why it matters: Zhu helped drive China’s market reforms and steered its 2001 entry into the World Trade Organization.
Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died at 97, prompting condolences from Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who called him an old friend of Singapore. Zhu served as China’s premier from 1998 to 2003 and was credited with major economic changes, including restructuring loss-making state enterprises, privatizing urban housing and promoting home ownership. He also led the negotiations that brought China into the World Trade Organization in 2001. Wong said Zhu played a key role in strengthening Singapore-China ties, backing the Suzhou Industrial Park and encouraging exchanges with Shanghai. In 1999, Zhu became the first Chinese leader to deliver the Singapore Lecture, where he argued that China’s growth would benefit Asia and the wider world.