Zhu Rongji: China censors public mourning as it holds former premier's funeral - BBC News

While hailing Zhu’s legacy, authorities are wary that the nostalgia could lead to criticisms of Xi’s rule.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Zhu Rongji served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003, leading China through a series of key economic reforms

Flags at government sites are flying at half-mast and security vehicles are parked in the heart of Beijing, as China mourns former Premier Zhu Rongji.

Zhu died of an illness last week at 97 and was cremated at a funeral in Beijing on Tuesday. The ceremony, attended by senior leaders including President Xi Jinping, was kept low-key. No footage has been released.

Zhu, who served as China's premier from 1998 to 2003, is remembered as one of the country's most important economic reformers.

While hailing the late premier as a "loyal" party member, the Chinese state is also wary that public mourning for his era of reform can easily turn into veiled criticisms of the current government under Xi.