Bangladesh, Aug. 21 -- The passing of former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji has brought a deep personal sadness to me. China has lost a great leader, and the world has lost one of the most influential statesmen of modern China. Bangladesh, too, has lost a great Chinese friend-one who personally contributed to deepening Bangladesh-China relations at an important stage of their development.

Zhu Rongji passed away in Beijing on August 12, 2026. He served as Premier of the State Council from 1998 to 2003 and was a central figure in China's reform and opening-up. He played an important role in strengthening China's economic and financial systems, reforming state-owned enterprises, controlling inflation, expanding China's engagement with the glob...