"Obituary of Comrade Zhu Rongji: The CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference"

Summary of the Core Content

This is an official obituary for Comrade Zhu Rongji, which provides a comprehensive overview of his 98-year revolutionary career. From a student at Tsinghua University to the Premier of the nation, he always placed the people at the center and made outstanding contributions in areas such as economic system reform, responding to major crises, and promoting national development. The obituary highlights his key achievements during his time in Shanghai, including the initiation of Pudong's development, leading fiscal and financial reforms while serving on the State Council, and managing through the Asian financial crisis and severe floods. It also emphasizes his dedication as a public servant and his noble character, concluding with an appeal for everyone to learn from his spirit and continue to advance China's path towards modernization.

Detailed Interpretation

1. From Tsinghua Student to Premier of the Nation: The Course of His Life

Comrade Zhu Rongji was born in Changsha, Hunan in 1928, and aspired to serve his country from a young age. In 1947, he enrolled in the Department of Electrical Engineering at Tsinghua University, where he joined progressive organizations and became a member of the Communist Party in 1948. After graduation, he began his career at the Northeastern Ministry of Industry and subsequently worked for various institutions, including the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Petroleum, and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, experiencing challenges such as being sent to work in rural areas. In 1987, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Committee, Mayor, and later Secretary of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee. He joined the State Council in 1991 and was elected a member of the Central Political Bureau in 1992, eventually becoming Premier in 1998. His life spanned the entire transition of New China from a planned economy to a market economy, with each step closely aligned with national development.

2. Years in Shanghai: Laying the Foundation for Pudong's Development and Urban Transformation

During his four years in Shanghai, Comrade Zhu Rongji left a lasting impact on the city. He advocated for adjusting the industrial structure and adopting an export-oriented economy, emphasizing the need to integrate with international markets. Most importantly, he initiated the substantial development of Pudong: what was previously just a planned area became a financial center after his leadership, laying the groundwork for Shanghai's transformation into an international metropolis.

3. The Mastermind of Economic Reform: Solving Problems and Driving Transformation

As a leader of the State Council during China's transition from a planned to a market economy, Comrade Zhu Rongji implemented several groundbreaking reforms:

• Rectifying Intercompany Debt: He addressed the problem of mutual debts between enterprises, which had become a vicious cycle hindering their growth. By addressing the root causes (such as regulating capital flows and ensuring repayment responsibilities), he revitalized the business community.
• Soft Landing of Macroeconomic Regulation: In the early 1990s, when the economy was overheating (e.g., soaring prices), he avoided drastic measures by gradually adjusting policies to stabilize growth and prevent sharp fluctuations.
• Fiscal and Financial Reforms: He introduced a new tax system that allocated taxes between the central and local governments (e.g., 75% for the central government and 25% for local governments), allowing the central government to fund national priorities while giving local authorities incentives to develop their economies. He also reformed the financial system, strengthening the role of the central bank and regulating commercial banks, thus laying a foundation for financial stability.

4. The Steadfast Leader in Times of Crisis: Managing the Asian Financial Crisis and Floods

Upon becoming Premier in 1998, he faced two major challenges: the Asian financial crisis and severe floods.

• Asian Financial Crisis: Despite the devaluation of neighboring currencies, he refused to devalue the RMB, which was risky but helped maintain economic stability and preserve Asia's financial order. He also boosted domestic demand through proactive fiscal policies (e.g., investing in infrastructure).
• Severe Floods: While organizing relief efforts, he ensured people's livelihoods and prevented the economy from collapsing. He also worked to protect Hong Kong's financial stability from the crisis.

5. A Public Servant of the People: His Spirit Endures

Comrade Zhu Rongji always believed that government officials should serve the people, and he lived by this principle:

• Daring to Take Responsibility: He was unafraid to confront issues, such as cracking down on tax evasion and establishing support systems for laid-off workers.
• Pragmatism: He advocated for honesty and avoided bureaucracy. Even after retiring, he continued to support the Party's leadership and cared about national development.

His life was dedicated to serving the people wholeheartedly, and his spirit will continue to inspire us.

The passing of Comrade Zhu Rongji is a significant loss for the Party and the country, but the reforms and legacy he left behind will propel China towards an even brighter future.