Flags flown at half-staff to mourn Zhu Rongji across the country

The remains of former Premier Zhu Rongji were cremated in Beijing, with flags flying at half-staff across the mainland, Hong Kong and Macao to express condolences.

The farewell ceremony was held at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing. Security around was tight, with police and plainclothes officers patrolling the area.

President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Chinese Communist Party and the state attended the farewell ceremony.

They paid their final respects with three bows and shook hands with Zhu's family members.

Former President Hu Jintao sent a wreath to express condolences.

In Beijing, Tiananmen Square, Xinhua Gate, the Great Hall of People and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs all fly flags at half-staff, alongside party committees and governments across various provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in the mainland.

In Hong Kong, central institutions stationed in Hong Kong, such as the Liaison Office, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office for Safeguarding National Security, as well as the Hong Kong Central Government Office, Government House, and all port control points, fly flags at half-staff to mourn.

In Macao, flags are also flown at half-staff at Lotus Square and the Government Headquarters to pay final respect.

Zhu Rongji served as Premier from 1998 to 2003, actively promoting market economy reforms. Known for his outspoken style and tough stance on combating corruption, he also voiced strong support for Hong Kong on many occasions.

He passed away due to illness in Beijing on August 12th at the age of 98. The official obituary described him as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and outstanding statesman, and leader of the Party and the State.