Beijing: Former Chinese Prime Minister Zhu Rongji died in Beijing on Wednesday at the age of 98 after an illness, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported. Zhu was a prominent figure in China's political landscape, having held significant roles that shaped the country's economic trajectory.

According to Anadolu Agency, Zhu was born in October 1928 in Changsha, Hunan Province. His academic journey began with his study of electrical engineering at Tsinghua University from 1947 to 1951. Zhu then transitioned into the civil service, where he embarked on a career that would eventually lead him to the highest levels of government.

In the early 1970s, Zhu was sent to May Seventh Cadre School for labor from 1970 to 1975, a period that marked a significant phase in his life. His rise in the political arena saw him become the vice-premier in charge of China's economy between 1991 and 1998. Zhu's tenure as the country's fifth premier from 1998 to 2003 was marked by significant economic reforms.

Zhu played a pivotal role in transitioning China from a planned economy to a socialist market economy. During his time in office, he also led negotiations for China's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), a milestone that was achieved in 2001. His leadership was characterized by efforts to promote greater economic opening and deeper integration with the global economy.

Zhu's tenure was also noted for his strong stance against corruption, an issue that he tackled with determination. His contributions to China's development and his commitment to reform left a lasting impact on the nation's economic landscape.