Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji Cremated in Beijing, Xi and Senior Leaders Pay Final Respects

Dragon Media News Desk

The body of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji was cremated in Beijing on Tuesday, with Chinese President Xi Jinping and other senior Party and state leaders paying their final respects.

Xi was joined at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing by Premier Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Vice President Han Zheng.

Amid solemn music, the leaders observed a moment of silence before Zhu’s body. They then bowed three times in tribute and met with members of his family to express their condolences.

Former Chinese President Hu Jintao sent a wreath to mourn Zhu’s passing.

Zhu died of illness in Beijing on August 12 at the age of 98.

He had served as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of both the 14th and 15th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China. He also served as Premier of China’s State Council.

In a joint obituary, the CPC Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the State Council and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference described Zhu as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary and statesman, and a distinguished leader of the Party and the state.

Xi and other senior leaders had either visited Zhu while he was receiving medical treatment or followed his condition. Following his death, they expressed deep condolences and conveyed sympathies to his family through various means.

As a mark of mourning, China lowered the national flag to half-mast at Tian’anmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provincial-level government offices, the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, border crossings, ports, airports, and Chinese embassies and consulates overseas.