Community leaders of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region have paid heartfelt tribute to former Chinese premier Zhu Rongji, who died on Wednesday in Beijing at the age of 98. Zhu served as Chinese premier from 1998-2003 after being vice-premier from 1991-98.

Zhu visited Hong Kong several times while holding different leadership positions, including two visits after the city’s return to the motherland in 1997.

In September 1997, then-vice-premier Zhu made an inspection tour of Hong Kong, addressing the annual meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

In 2002, Zhu, then-premier, made a three-day inspection tour of Hong Kong with his wife Lao An to attend the World Congress of Accountants and gauge the progress made by the city.

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Former Hong Kong chief executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen described Zhu as a “charismatic, visionary, and decisive” leader who left a deep impression on him.

Tsang said when he was financial secretary during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, Zhu had acted swiftly to assure Hong Kong of the central government’s unwavering support for the SAR’s efforts to defend the Hong Kong dollar and maintain financial market stability.

Tsang also recalls Zhu encouraging the Hong Kong SAR to embrace the vast development potential of western China.

Leung Chun-ying, vice-chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee and a former HKSAR chief executive, said it was his “lifelong honor” to have participated in Shanghai’s land and housing reforms under Zhu’s leadership when the latter served as Shanghai’s mayor and Party secretary.

Leung praised Zhu for playing a profound role in deepening China’s reform and opening-up.

In a social media post, Hong Kong SAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po hailed Zhu’s immense contributions to the country’s development and people’s well-being.

He said that Zhu advanced a series of reforms in the fiscal, tax, and financial sectors as well as State-owned enterprises, which helped to lay a crucial foundation for the country’s subsequent economic development.

Chan added that Zhu has been supporting Hong Kong’s development, and his inspection tours of the SAR left a lasting impression on residents.

Laura Cha Shih May-lung, former vice-chairwoman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, described Zhu as a determined leader who dedicated himself fully to the nation’s economic development.

Executive Council Convenor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee recalled meeting Zhu during an official visit to Brussels, Belgium in 2001, when she was the SAR’s secretary for security.

She said Zhu graciously invited her delegation to join the Chinese delegation at a state banquet hosted by the Belgian prime minister and offered words of encouragement.

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“His care and encouragement for Hong Kong remain vivid in my memory,” Ip said.

Even young politicians who have never met Zhu personally feel his influence. Legislator Mark Chong Ho-fung said Zhu’s autobiography was his first serious political read, adding that Zhu’s political style shaped his own political convictions.

Accounting sector lawmaker Webster Ng Kam-wah recalled visiting the Beijing National Accounting Institute two years ago and being struck by an inscription quoting Zhu on integrity and ethics — which he said was an unforgettable moment of awe.

Hong Kong and Macao’s chief executives both extended their deepest condolences on behalf of the SARs and recounted Zhu’s long-standing support for their cities on Wednesday evening.

Contact the writers at stacyshi@chinadailyhk.com