I take great pride in having been able to overcome the Asian financial crisis and seeking the opportunities available to bring about an unprecedented growth in the economy.

He is rarely seen speaking from a script. As global firms scrambled to avoid missing the China boom FDI in China rose by 22. As a hydrologist Zhu grasped the impact such water savings multiplied by China's huge population could have on China's infrastructure.

Premier Zhu was also widely known for his charisma and tasteful humour. A tough administrator his time in office saw the continued double-digit growth of the Chinese economy and China's increased assertiveness in international affairs.