Former premier Zhu Rongji lifts lid on talks with CY Leung

A book by former premier Zhu Rongji launched with a huge fanfare in Beijing yesterday gives a rare insight into events during his time as mayor of Shanghai between 1987 and 1991.

It reveals how conciliatory talks with student leaders in June 1989 defused tensions after the crackdown in Beijing.

And it detailed two meetings in 1988 and 1990 when he sought the advice of Leung Chun-ying, now Hong Kong's chief executive, on the core reform issues of land ownership and housing.

Leung, then a young surveyor at British real estate firm Jones Lang Wootton, is the only Hong Kong politician mentioned in the book, but it is an indication of his close ties with the mainland.

Zhu (pictured) has kept a low profile since he retired a decade ago and avoided making public remarks on the new generation of leaders or their policies.

But he is still fondly remembered by many at home and overseas as one of China's boldest, most charismatic reformists.

The book, was released as the central leadership were believed to be gathering at the resort of Beidaihe to hammer out policy ahead of formal meetings in the autumn. There has been speculation the book's release was timed to coincide with the leadership gathering, but the publisher yesterday said the project had long been in the works.