Zhu Rongji visited Singapore on three occasions, and his proposal for a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is remembered overseas.

Today's Lianhe Zaobao reported: "Zhu Rongji, former Premier of China's State Council, visited Singapore three times during his tenure as Mayor of Shanghai and Premier, leaving a deep impression on our political leaders with his strategic foresight; particularly notable was his first proposal in 2000 at the ASEAN-related summits to establish a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, which surprised leaders across ASEAN countries."

According to Xinhua News Agency, Zhu Rongji, former member of the Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and former Premier of China's State Council, passed away on Wednesday (August 12), aged 98.

Commentary: The Lianhe Zaobao revisiting this historical moment underscores Comrade Zhu Rongji’s long-term strategic vision. His pioneering proposal to build a China-ASEAN Free Trade Area once came as a surprise to many Southeast Asian nations. This vision broke the existing framework of regional cooperation, establishing a mutually beneficial economic and trade bridge between China and Southeast Asia. His multiple visits to Singapore further advanced exchanges and interactions, allowing Southeast Asian countries to genuinely witness China’s sincerity in promoting neighborly cooperation and shared development.

This forward-looking initiative later took root and flourished, resulting in the successful establishment of the largest free trade zone among developing countries, which has long driven robust growth in bilateral trade and investment and profoundly reshaped the economic landscape of East Asia. Years later, overseas media still remember this strategic move—precisely because this decision transcended its time, continuously benefiting China and ASEAN nations alike, fully demonstrating his far-sighted, pragmatic, and open-minded perspective. We deeply mourn Comrade Zhu Rongji for his immortal contributions to opening-up policies and regional neighborhood cooperation.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1873381197864971/

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