China lowers flags, and tightens security to mourn Zhu RongJi

China lowered the national flag at government headquarters on Tuesday to mourn former Premier Zhu Rongji, the no-nonsense reformer who died last week aged 97, as citizens recalled a bygone era while reflecting on his complicated legacy.



Security was tight across the city, particularly around Tiananmen Square and the enclave of Zhongnanhai, the centre of China's political power, which lie on the route to the Babaoshan crematorium, where top leaders are typically cremated.



As vice premier from 1991 to 1998 and premier from 1998 to 2003, Zhu helped drive China's hard-edged economic overhaul in the 1990s.



He curbed runaway inflation, tightened tax and banking systems, and pushed through a sweeping shake-up of the state sector that eliminated millions of jobs at unprofitable firms.



The reforms also helped clear the way for China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, foreshadowing integration with the global economy.