Post by : Rohit Dhiman

Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has expressed condolences to Chinese Premier Li Qiang following the death of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 97 after an illness. Zhu led China’s government from 1998 to 2003 and remained an important figure in the country’s economic transformation.

Wong remembers Zhu as a longtime friend of Singapore

In his condolence message, Wong described Zhu as an “old friend of Singapore” and highlighted his contribution to strengthening ties between Singapore and China. Wong said Zhu demonstrated strong foresight and determination throughout his public career. He particularly credited the former Chinese premier with helping advance China’s economic reforms and guiding the country through its negotiations to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001.

Zhu played a key role in China’s economic reforms

Zhu Rongji was closely associated with major economic changes in China during the late 1990s and early 2000s. His reform agenda included restructuring loss-making state-owned enterprises, changes to urban housing and policies aimed at expanding home ownership. His approach also helped China deepen its links with the global economy. Negotiations for WTO membership were difficult and involved significant concessions, with some Chinese officials at the time concerned that the terms could create pressure on the domestic economy.

Longstanding links with Singapore

Zhu had maintained close links with Singapore and met former Singapore prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong on several occasions. In 1999, Zhu became the first Chinese leader to deliver the Singapore Lecture, organised by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. His address focused on China’s economic development and its wider implications for Asia and the international community. Wong also recalled that Zhu supported the idea of deeper economic cooperation between China and ASEAN, including a proposed free-trade area. According to Wong, the vision has since taken shape as China has become a major economic partner for Singapore and other countries across the region.

Support for Suzhou Industrial Park

Zhu was an early supporter of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park, which became the first government-to-government cooperation project between the two countries. Earlier in his career, while serving as mayor of Shanghai, Zhu encouraged exchanges between officials from Singapore and Shanghai. Wong said these efforts helped establish the foundation for the close bilateral relationship and extensive people-to-people and institutional exchanges seen today.

China mourns former premier

Chinese authorities also paid tribute to Zhu following his death. A joint obituary from the country's top political bodies described him as an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China and praised his lifetime of public service. The statement called his death a major loss for the party and the country, underscoring Zhu’s long political career and his contribution to China’s development.

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A lasting legacy in Singapore-China relations

Zhu Rongji’s legacy extends beyond China’s domestic economic reforms. His engagement with Singapore and his support for closer regional economic cooperation helped shape an important period in Singapore-China relations. Prime Minister Wong’s condolences reflect the continuing significance of Zhu’s role in building the foundations of the close relationship between the two countries.

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