Former Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji dies at 97

Flags are flying at half-mast across China and in Beijing's Tiananmen Square today to honor former Prime Minister Zhu Rongji, who passed away last week at the age of 97. The funeral service for the statesman, who served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003, is being held in Beijing today, followed by his cremation at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery.

Zhu Rongji was widely recognized as a champion of free-market policies and was responsible for significant economic reforms during his tenure. To mark his passing, high-ranking officials from the Chinese Communist Party are attending the state-sanctioned farewell ceremony. Security measures have been heavily tightened across the capital, particularly surrounding Tiananmen Square and the Zhongnanhai political compound, as the procession moves toward the crematorium.

Known by some observers as the "Chinese Gorbachev" for his transformative economic initiatives, Zhu remains a significant figure in modern Chinese history. Public mourning has been evident, with tributes flooding social media platforms like Weibo, where users expressed gratitude for his contributions to the country. The state-run Xinhua news agency confirmed the details of the mourning protocols and the cremation, marking the end of a pivotal era in Chinese economic governance.