China’s Communist Party pays tribute to late premier Li Keqiang on 70th birth anniversary
People’s Daily article honours ‘outstanding revolutionary, exemplary leader’ who died in October 2023, months after stepping down as premier
The article, attributed to the Institute of Party History and Literature, said Li had “dedicated all his energy to the cause of the party and the state, and made significant contributions to it”.
Li was an “outstanding member of the party, time-tested loyal communist fighter, outstanding revolutionary and politician, and exemplary leader”, the article said, while twice underlining his loyalty to the top leadership.
Since stepping down in March 2023, Li had firmly supported the party and President Xi Jinping, and “resolutely endorsed the efforts to improve party conduct, uphold integrity and combat corruption”, the article said.
It emphasised that Li had upheld Xi’s core position and authority, and been consistent in thought, politics and action with the party’s decision-making Central Committee.
Li died in Shanghai in October 2023, after suffering a heart attack while swimming at a state guest house.
An official obituary published by state broadcaster CCTV at the time described Li’s death aged 68 as “a huge loss” for the party and the state.