China's transformation into a global economic powerhouse was shaped by leaders willing to make difficult choices, and former Premier Zhu Rongji was at the centre of many of them.
Zhu, who served as premier from 1998 to 2003, has died aged 97 after a political career that saw him push major economic changes and help bring China into the global trading system.
Zhu was a leading figure in China's drive to expand its role in international commerce. He was closely involved in the negotiations that eventually secured the country's membership of the World Trade Organization in 2002, a move that opened greater opportunities for Chinese industries to sell their products abroad and attracted foreign investment.
His time in office also saw sweeping changes at home. Zhu backed the transfer of local tax powers to the central government, the closure or privatisation of struggling state-owned firms and policies aimed at increasing home ownership.
The reforms helped strengthen the economy and supported a period of rapid growth. China began moving quickly towards becoming a major manufacturing centre, with its factories increasingly linked to markets beyond its borders.
Zhu's approach to government was marked by a willingness to confront problems openly. He was seen by many Chinese as a firm and practical leader who was prepared to speak plainly about corruption, weak institutions and the challenges facing ordinary people.
In 1998, he warned that China was facing "many potential crises that could erupt at any time...
"Ordinary people are discontent about us in many ways. Especially, there is corruption among officials, the gulf between rich and poor and the way some local officials act like tyrants."
His sharp comments extended to the financial sector. Zhu referred to rogue bankers as "half-wits" and criticised the condition of flood-control structures along the Yangtze River, saying the dams and dykes were as "flimsy and porous as tofu dregs".
His economic programme, however, came with serious disruption. Restructuring state-owned businesses resulted in about 30 million lay-offs over five years, while the wealth created by China's fast economic expansion also brought a wider gap between rich and poor.
Still, Zhu's supporters credit him with helping steady China's economy and pushing forward reforms that changed the country's economic direction. His tenure came at a time when China was seeking to strengthen its position after years of operating largely outside the main global economic system.
Zhu's journey to the top of Chinese politics was far from straightforward. Born in Hunan province in 1928, he studied electrical engineering before entering the civil service and joining the Communist Party in 1949.
His political career was interrupted twice. He was first purged after opposing Mao Zedong's economic policies, which he described as "irrational", and was branded a "rightist". He later suffered another political setback during the Cultural Revolution.
After Mao's death, Zhu returned to public life and steadily rebuilt his career. By 1991, he had become vice-premier and was given responsibility for the country's economy.
He was appointed premier in 1998, taking charge as China faced major economic and political challenges. Over the following five years, he became one of the country's most influential economic reformers.
His biggest international challenge came through the lengthy negotiations over China's WTO membership. Zhu played a central role in the process before China finally joined the organisation in 2002.
Chinese state media later portrayed his life as one of "revolution, struggle and brilliance".
In its obituary, state media described Zhu as an "outstanding member of the Communist Party of China and loyal Commnist fighter... an outstanding leader of the Party and state".