China's explosive transformation from a planned economy to a more market-oriented one over the past three decades owes much to the charismatic reformer Zhu Rongji. His pragmatism and strong work ethic have been key forces in China's drive to greater modernization and global stature. He served as the mayor and party chief in Shanghai from 1987 to 1991, as vice premier of China from 1991 to 1998, and then as premier until 2003. This monumental collection brings together, for the first time in English, over one hundred important speeches, articles, letters, and instructions written during his term as vice premier, when he had major responsibility for fulfilling Deng Xiaoping's vision and setting China on a new and fruitful course. During this time, Zhu embarked on a plan to reduce the size of government and reform the heavily indebted banking system and state-owned enterprises as well as the housing and health care systems. His sweeping efforts ranged from lobbying for the establishment of stock exchanges to revitalizing agriculture through the introduction of a modern grain market. The ramifications of these reforms are still being felt throughout China and the globe, and Zhu Rongji on the Record provides a real-time look at these plans as they were being formulated during the 1990s. These pages also reflect the forthright personality that gained great popularity with the Chinese public. Zhu vows to speak the truth and avoid ""empty talk,"" as he tells his compatriots. ""We must tackle [reform] with both hands, and both hands must be strong."" To this end, he provides lists of ""musts"" and ""mustn'ts"" that will ensure a ""soft landing"" during China's transition and calls for swift and resolute action, both in reform and in fighting corruption. In addition to revealing the evolution of Zhu's thinking and demonstrating how he helped transform the world's most populous nation, this book provides insight into the course of China's economic refor Zhu Rongji served as mayor of Shanghai from 1987 to 1991, was China's vice premier from 1991 to 1998, and served as fifth premier of the People's Republic from 1998 to 2003. Between 1993 and1995 he served concurrently as governor of the People's Bank of China. Henry A. Kissinger was U.S. secretary of state from 1973 to 1977. Helmut Schmidt was chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. ZHU RONGJI ON THE RECORD The Road to Reform 1991-1997 By Zhu Rongji, June Y. Mei Brookings Institution Press Copyright © 2013 FOREIGN LANGUAGES PRESS All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-0-8157-2518-3 Contents Publication Note...........................................................ixForeword by Henry A. Kissinger.............................................xiForeword by Helmut Schmidt.................................................xiiiNote from The Brookings Institution........................................xvii1991.......................................................................1 Clearing up Triangular Debt Must Start with the Source—Fixed-Asset Investments................................................................12 Comments on the Economic Development of Western China....................173 Work Hard to Develop the Shipbuilding Industry...........................204 On-Time Performance Is at the Heart of Civil Aviation Service Quality....255 Speed Up Technical Improvements and Do a Good Job at Large and Medium SOEs.......................................................................306 The Key to Controlling Redundant Construction Lies with the Banks........447 Work Hard on the Internal Restructuring of Industries....................481992.......................................................................8 On Comprehensively and Correctly Understanding the Spirit of Deng Xiaoping's Talks in Southern China.........................................539 On Being a Scholar and Being a Person....................................6910 Quality Is the Lifeblood of Enterprises.................................7011 Raising Labor Productivity Is the Key to Turning around Losses and Improving Efficiency in the Coal Sector....................................8312 Speech at a Symposium on Stock Market Pilot Programs in Some Provinces and Cities.................................................................9213 Guangdong's Practice Demonstrates the Success of the Policy of Reform and Opening Up.............................................................10214 Some Comments on the Current Economic Situation and Macroeconomic Controls...................................................................1091993.......................................................................15 Speed Up Railroad Construction and the Pace of Reform...................12316 Implement Genuine Separation of Government and Enterprises..............13117 Thirteen Measures for Strengthening Macroeconomic Controls..............13318 "Three Ground Rules" for Financial Work................