Zhao Ziyang (1920-2005) passed away on January 17, 2005. He progressed from peasants to politicians during his lifetime. Zhao developed a reputation as a skilled administrator. As mayor of Guangzhou, he initiated numerous economic reforms. Later, he was appointed premier of China in 1980. Under his leadership, China achieved substantial economic growth. He also prioritized agricultural reforms and improvements in living standards. In 1989, Zhao met with student protesters during the Tiananmen Square protests. His sympathy for the students was met with disapproval from the Chinese Communist Party, and he resigned shortly thereafter. After resigning, Zhao lived under house arrest for 16 years until his death in 2005. Zhao was remembered for his reform-oriented approach to Chinese governance. He will be remembered as a prominent figure of the 1980s and an important voice of reform in Chinese political history.