Zhu Rongji, Chinese leader who oversaw WTO debut, dies at 97

ObituariesLate premier represented era of more open engagement with worldChina's then-Premier Zhu Rongji concludes his final report to the annual session of the National People's Congress in Beijing in 2003. © ReutersCK TANAugust 12, 2026 19:30 JSTTOKYO -- Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who supervised the country's entry into the World Trade Organization and modernized its financial system, died on Wednesday in Beijing, state news agency Xinhua reported. He was 97.