Premier Wen's rule overshadowed by predecessor Zhu's bold reforms

While former premier Zhu Rongji is credited with introducing bold measures that set the mainland's financial system on the path of reform, his successor Wen Jiabao may be remembered more for his eloquent speeches than strong action when he steps down from his position early next year.

Zhu, 83, published a set of books late last year aimed at explaining the economic and financial reform process during his 12 years as vice-premier and premier until Wen took over in 2003.

The books quickly won praise from the public, who still hold Zhu in high regard.

Political analysts and, privately, even many mainland officials often compare Wen unfavourably with Zhu.

Wen, 69, has even been dubbed "China's best actor", with critics accusing him of speaking too much while doing too little and reacting too slowly in important matters.

At one point, according to a leaked cable from the US embassy in Beijing that was released by WikiLeaks late last year, Zhu could not hold back his famous temper and complained to others that Wen might have reacted too slowly to the 2008 global financial crisis.

People close to Zhu's family told the that Zhu, who now lives in Shanghai, rarely met Wen after the changing of the guard in 2003. Zhu was Shanghai's mayor for about four years before his promotion to vice-premier in 1991.