He played a pivotal role in transitioning China towards a market-based economy and steered its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), which paved the way for its unprecedented growth and rise to become the world’s second-largest economy.

At Zhu’s funeral at Beijing’s Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, where high-ranking officials and national heroes are laid to rest, Xi and Premier Li Qiang, along with the five other members of the Communist Party’s Politburo Standing Committee and Vice-President Han Zheng, paid their final respects, according to Xinhua.

Zhu’s body lay surrounded by flowers and cypress branches and covered with the Communist Party flag as mourners gathered at a solemn farewell ceremony, the state news agency said.

At about 9.30am, the group stood in silence and took three bows before Zhu’s body. They shook hands with his family to offer their condolences, according to Xinhua.

Former President Hu Jintao sent a wreath.

The ceremony was in keeping with established protocols which were also followed for the funeral of former premier Li Keqiang, who was cremated at Babaoshan in November 2023.