Topic

Li Keqiangi

Li Keqiang, born in 1955, became China's premier in March 2013. Like ex-president Hu Jintao, his power base lies with the Communist Youth League, where he was a member of the secretariat of the league’s central committee in the 1980s and later in the 1990s the secretariat’s first secretary. His regional governance experience includes a period as vice party boss, governor and party boss of Henan province between 1998 and 2003 and party boss of Liaoning province beginning in 2004. He became vice premier in 2008. Li graduated from Peking University with a degree in economics. Li stepped down from his post as premier in March 2023 after serving two five-year terms in which he consistently pushed the private economy and foreign investment. His death at the age of 68 in Shanghai was announced by state media on October 27, 2023. 

Advertisement

China is all the poorer for the death of the ‘people’s premier’ Li Keqiang, who always showed his caring side even as he steered the nation through some of its most difficult moments.

videocam

As growth falters and unemployment rises, China’s current leadership could learn much from Mao Zedong’s theory of ‘walking on two legs’ to avert an economic crisis – and issue vouchers to boost consumer spending.

On the surface, all seems well. But behind closed doors, rumours swirl of a split among China’s top leaders on how to deal with a flagging economy – and of a diminished role for President Xi Jinping in deciding who will run the country next.

  • Side-by-side comparison finds Li Qiang and predecessor Li Keqiang had different priorities early in their terms, determined by economy and geopolitics
  • Li Qiang appears to have less authority on some matters, including those related to foreign affairs, says analyst
videocam

Li Qiang, in discussions with Michael Higgins as well as with Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar, is the first member of Chinese leadership to visit Ireland since 2015.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement

Japan’s expression of sorrow at the sudden death of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang reflects its regret that both countries have lost a crucial political intermediary, analysts say.

videocam

‘State media obviously did not prepare full obituary’ as they do for very ill leaders, while brief initial announcement aimed to quash conspiracy theories, observer says.

videocam

Li Keqiang, who pushed for the private economy, foreign investment and simplified government procedures during his 10 years as premier, died in Shanghai on Friday morning at the age of 68.

videocam

Veteran political figures Tam Yiu-chung and Lau Siu-kai pay tribute to former Chinese premier Li Keqiang, who died suddenly in Shanghai at the age of 68.

videocam

Official obituary of former leader, who died in Shanghai on Friday, hails his contributions to the economy, belt and road, poverty relief and his support for President Xi Jinping.

videocam

In a difficult economic time when jobs are hard to come by, selling wares and trinkets on the streets has growing appeal, with vendors seeing more foot traffic amid China’s post-Covid reopening.

videocam

A February decline in China’s consumer price index was broad-based, according to analysts who point to last month’s dip in food and non-food inflation, as reflected in official data released on Thursday.

Talk of financial risk management at annual parliamentary meetings serves as a high-profile reassurance of leadership’s repeated vows to curb financial risks and alleviate revenue problems across the country.

videocam

Zheng Yanxiong, director of central government’s liaison office, tells Hong Kong politicians city’s affairs are ‘of national importance’.