Zhu Rongji cremated as China's leaders bid farewell
The body of former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on Tuesday, with President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders attending the farewell as Tiananmen Square was lowered to half-mast.
18th August 2026 – (Beijing) The body of former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on Tuesday, with President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders attending the farewell as Tiananmen Square was lowered to half-mast. State media said Zhu, a member of the Communist Party politburo standing committee under the 14th and 15th central committees and a former State Council premier, died in the capital on 12th August at 11. 06am at the age of 98. A small bus believed to be carrying his remains was seen heading towards the cemetery on Tuesday morning, three days after his death was announced. Xi, Premier Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng joined the send-off at Babaoshan. Former president Hu Jintao sent a wreath to express mourning. During Zhu’s final illness and after his death, Xi, Li, Zhao, Wang, Cai, Ding, Li Xi, Han and Hu had visited him in hospital or conveyed condolences to his family through various channels. The ceremony hall was draped in solemn black and white. A banner reading “Deep mourning for Comrade Zhu Rongji” hung above his portrait, with his body resting among flowers and cypress and covered by the red flag of the Communist Party. At about 9. 30am, the leaders walked slowly to the bier as a funeral band played, stood in silence, bowed three times and shook hands with relatives. Party and state leaders, central government officials, Zhu’s friends and representatives from his home area also attended or sent condolences. Xinhua’s obituary praised Zhu as an outstanding party member, a tested and loyal communist fighter, an eminent revolutionary and politician, and an exceptional leader of the party and state. Flags at Tiananmen were lowered on Tuesday to mark mourning in the capital.