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

Known for his sharp intellect, no-nonsense demeanour and relentless drive for reform, China’s former premier Zhu Rongji was the primary architect of the country’s transition from an isolated, rigidly planned economy to a market-driven titan connected to the rest of the world. During his tenure from 1998 to 2003, he engineered an economic “soft landing”, steered the nation through the Asian Financial Crisis and secured entry into the WTO, laying the groundwork for the country’s historic transformation.Here is a look back at his key contributions, remembered through his most memorable and hard-hitting quotes.1. Spearheading Shanghai’s revivalVisitors admire the Pudong New Area, Shanghai’s booming financial district, on September 26, 1998. Photo: ReutersDuring his time as Shanghai’s mayor from 1988 to 1991, Zhu restructured the city’s industrial base, focused on exports and kick-started the construction of the Pudong New Area, an economic development zone. Early on, he recognised that foreign direct investment was key to the city’s future growth.