Zhu succeeded Jiang Zemin as Shanghai’s mayor in 1988, when Jiang was called to Beijing to assume a national role. Zhu received plaudits for his work in Shanghai, especially the development of Pudong district. Zhu’s economic success in Shanghai attracted the attention of Deng Xiaoping in Beijing.

The development of the Pudong district of Shanghai

In the turmoil following the violence in Tiananmen Square, Zhu played a pivotal role in restoring Deng’s influence by providing a launch pad for Deng’s Southern Tour. Out of gratitude and admiration, Deng picked Zhu to move to Beijing and take charge of running China’s economy.