Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died in Beijing on the 12th. Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed her condolences on the following day, the 13th. Meanwhile, in the U.S., Ambassador to China David Perdue expressed condolences on the 14th. What caused that difference? Taiwanese media UDN reported.

Chinese authorities announced at 6:00 PM on the 12th that former Premier Zhu Rongji died of illness in Beijing at 11:06 PM on the same day. Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 13th that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi conveyed condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on the same day regarding Mr. Zhu Rongji's passing. In addition to her condolences, Ms. Takaichi also mentioned Mr. Zhu Rongji's contributions to the development of Japan-China relations. Furthermore, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi also conveyed condolences to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

The Embassy of Japan in China flew its flag at half-mast on the 13th in response to Mr. Zhu Rongji's passing, expressing condolences. The Japanese Embassy posted on its official Weibo (SNS) account a photo of the embassy flying its flag at half-mast, with the message 'Mourning His Excellency Zhu Rongji, former Premier of the People's Republic of China.'

Over 100 comments from netizens were received on this post. Some of these posts included comments such as 'Friendly exchanges between China and Japan are the greatest comfort for Premier Zhu,' 'Wishing for China-Japan friendship,' and 'Thank you.'

Japan-China relations reached a 'rock bottom' state after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi mentioned a 'Taiwan contingency' in a parliamentary interpellation in November 2025. Regarding Ms. Takaichi's action of expressing condolences to the Chinese side, one report commented that it requires further observation and verification to determine whether it was to reduce China's suspicions, or simply a ceremonial condolence to deflect criticism within Japan (criticism of the deterioration of Japan-China relations within Japan).

Meanwhile, the U.S.'s first reaction was a post on X (SNS) by Ambassador to China David Perdue on the 14th. Ambassador Perdue stated in Chinese and English, 'I am deeply saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Premier Zhu Rongji. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, the Chinese government, and the people of China.'

Regarding this expression of condolences, a commentary was also published stating, 'The U.S. Ambassador to China finally made a condolence post today (the 14th). It probably took time to discuss internally how to write it.'

U.S. media Voice of America published an interview article from 2023 with Kenneth Lieberthal, former Senior Director for Asia at the U.S. National Security Council, on the evening of the 12th. Lieberthal participated in U.S.-China negotiations regarding China's WTO accession when Zhu Rongji visited the U.S. as Premier of China in April 1999, and the two had direct contact.

Lieberthal stated that former Premier Zhu Rongji was one of the few leaders in the Chinese Communist Party who understood how to interact with Western countries, possessing humor, frankness, accurately assessing situations, and playing the most crucial role in promoting China-U.S. negotiations for China's WTO accession. He further stated that the initial purpose of former Premier Zhu Rongji's promotion of market-oriented reforms was not to overthrow the Chinese Communist Party's political system, but to maintain the legitimacy of the Chinese Communist Party's rule.

Although the UDN article did not directly mention it, regarding condolences for the death of former Premier Zhu, Japan demonstrated the most polite and highest-ranking diplomatic etiquette by making an announcement in the names of the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, who are the highest officials of the government and the head of diplomacy, whereas the U.S. confined itself to a minimum 'business-like response' that was not impolite in diplomatic terms, by making an announcement in the name of its Ambassador to China. (Translation/Editing by Kisaragi Hayato)