Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji, who played a central role in reshaping China’s economy and opening it to global markets, has died at the age of 97. Zhu served as premier from 1998 to 2003, a period marked by sweeping economic changes. The move accelerated the country’s integration into the global economy and brought major changes to its domestic economic system. Zhu also played important roles during two major events in China’s recent history. Zhu’s legacy has remained closely associated with the bold economic reforms of the 1990s and early 2000s, which helped transform China into a major force in the global economy.