Li at crossroads in the fight for economic changes

Premier Li Keqiang may want to be seen as a dedicated economic reformer, but political squabbling among his subordinates and lingering resistance to pro-market policies limit the likelihood he can deliver real change, government insiders say.

One of his biggest obstacles may even be the economic philosophy investment bankers have dubbed "Likonomics" - no stimulus, deleveraging and structural reform.

Sources familiar with the thinking of Li told the South China Morning Post that the premier was conscious of the risk that giving too high a profile to his reform ideas could impede their progress.

"In China, being high-profile may not necessarily be a good thing," said one of the sources. "Tall trees catch much wind."

That wind may strengthen during the third plenary session of the Communist Party's 18th Central Committee, scheduled to be held next month.

Expectations for reform have been high ever since Li came to office along with President Xi Jinping in a once-a-decade handover of power at the top of the party that was completed in March.