Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji passed away at 11:06 a.m. on August 12, 2026, at Beijing 301 Hospital at the age of 98. Insiders revealed that Zhu Rongji was closely monitored by the Chinese Communist Party in his later years. Currently, the CCP is concerned that the public may express dissatisfaction with the current situation under the guise of mourning Zhu Rongji, potentially leading to broader social unrest.
*A knowledgeable source disclosed that officials close to Cai Qi monitored every move of Zhu Rongji in his later years.*
According to an anonymous source within the Chinese Communist Party system interviewed by The Epoch Times on Wednesday (August 12), “Zhu Rongji had security guards, secretaries, doctors, and nurses arranged by the Central Office Director Cai Qi around him, and his every move was under surveillance. Even his later medical treatments required Cai Qi’s consent.”
The source believed that unlike Li Keqiang, Zhu Rongji was always more obedient. “After Zhu’s retirement, his sharpness faded away, which is why he lived until 98 years old; in contrast, Li Keqiang, who was more ‘disobedient,’ passed away at 68.”
The source revealed that Xi Jinping was relatively satisfied with Zhu.
In a previous report published by The Wall Street Journal on March 15, 2022, under the title “China’s Economic Contraction Exposes Cracks in Xi Jinping’s Power,” citing internal sources within the CCP, some retired influential CCP figures who still had political influence openly opposed Xi Jinping’s intention to break the established succession system, including Zhu Rongji.
On October 18, 2017, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China opened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. After Xi Jinping delivered a speech lasting about three and a half hours, he turned around and bowed, receiving a standing ovation from the audience. Zhu Rongji, who was seated on the rostrum, did not applaud like others, leading to speculation and being referred to as having a “subtle attitude” with “deeper intentions.”
*Senior officials fear that public discontent may erupt amid the mourning for Zhu Rongji.*
The informant stated that what the senior CCP officials are currently concerned about is “the public expressing dissatisfaction with the current situation under the guise of mourning Zhu Rongji, potentially leading to broader social unrest.”
He said, “The CCP has always been against spontaneous activities by the public, regardless of whether these activities align with official goals. They remain vigilant because they are mainly concerned that such grassroots actions might get out of control and even evolve into anti-CCP movements.”
He pointed out that the CCP’s concerns are not unfounded, referencing past events: “After Hu Yaobang’s death, it triggered a student movement that led to a split within the senior CCP officials over the handling of the unrest. Deng Xiaoping saw the situation escalating, feared the continued development of the student movement, and the possibility that Zhao Ziyang might exploit the student movement to increase political influence, ultimately deciding to suppress it.”
“Therefore, once there is a large-scale public sentiment, the authorities will inevitably intervene. The CCP has never relaxed its control over such potential societal mobilizations.”
He further mentioned that the CCP is currently on high alert: “After Zhu Rongji’s passing, the authorities will similarly be highly vigilant of relevant public sentiments. If signs of dispersion appear during memorial activities, related information is likely to be quickly reported to the highest centers of power.”