Zhu Rongji, who drove China's 1990s economic reforms, has died at 97

Zhu Rongji, a pivotal figure in steering China's economic transformation in the 1990s, has passed away at 97. His reforms were instrumental in transitioning China from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system, balancing growth with maintaining Communist Party control. This shift helped China become a global economic powerhouse, reshaping its role in the world economy and setting the stage for its current economic influence. His legacy underscores the importance of strategic reforms in navigating complex socio-economic transitions.