"Meetings presided over by Mayor Zhu (Rongji) always started on time and were very focused. Heads of government departments always had to be prepared to answer questions and nobody dared to give evasive answers."

Xie Lijuan, former vice-mayor of Shanghai, said on Monday as she recalled working with former premier Zhu Rongji, who held top posts in Shanghai, including mayor and Party chief, between 1987 and 1991.