Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji passed away today (August 12) at the age of 98 due to illness.
According to the official Chinese Communist Party mouthpiece Xinhua News Agency, Zhu Rongji “received ineffective medical treatment” and passed away at 11:06 am on August 12, 2026 in Beijing, at the age of 98.
On August 12, various high-level Chinese Communist Party organs, including the Central Committee, issued obituaries announcing the death of Zhu Rongji.
Born in October 1928 in Changsha, Hunan Province, Zhu Rongji graduated from Tsinghua University with a degree in electrical engineering. Within the Communist Party system, Zhu Rongji steadily rose in positions until his retirement, reaching the rank of Politburo Standing Committee member of the Central Committee and Premier of the State Council.
Zhu Rongji was also a candidate member of the 13th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and a full member of the 14th and 15th Central Committees, as well as a member and standing committee member of the Central Political Bureau.
After retiring, Zhu Rongji maintained a low profile.
In recent years, reports of Zhu Rongji’s declining health have been frequent. He even missed several important official Chinese Communist Party events, including the 2019 National Day military parade and reception, leading to speculation among the public.