Zhu Rongji’s Final Farewell Marks End of China’s Reform Era

President Xi Jinping and the full Politburo Standing Committee gathered at a Beijing cemetery to pay final respects, underscoring the gravity of Zhu's departure from the political stage. Former President Hu Jintao, though absent from the physical ceremony, sent a wreath, signaling a quiet recognition of the former premier's historical footprint.

Zhu’s tenure is primarily remembered for a dual-sided economic crusade. He is credited with taming rampant inflation and steering China into the World Trade Organization, a move that fundamentally integrated the country into the global market. Yet, these achievements arrived at a significant social cost. His mandate for state-sector reform triggered massive layoffs, leaving a complex legacy that still resonates among those who bore the brunt of his structural overhaul.