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[POLITICS] · China · 6 sources

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Zhu Rongji, former Chinese Premier, dies in Beijing

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has died in Beijing at the age of 97 or 98. He passed away on August 12, following a period of reported illness.

Zhu is widely recognized for his pivotal role in China's economic transformation. His tenure as Premier from 1998 to 2003 was marked by significant market reforms, including the restructuring of state-owned enterprises and the implementation of a new tax system. He was a key figure in negotiating China's entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, a move that integrated China into the global economy.

His economic policies had profound domestic consequences, including the layoff of approximately 27 million workers during state-owned enterprise reforms. While his reforms drove rapid economic growth and modernization, they also introduced complex social and fiscal challenges, such as the rise of land-based finance. Observers have noted his reputation as a technocratic leader who sought to increase state efficiency through market mechanisms.

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Beijing · Chinese Communist Party · Jiang Zemin · World Trade Organization · Zhu Rongji

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