Topic
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.
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.
Falling economic and population numbers at a time when country re-emerges from Covid-19 call for healthy moves to restore investors’ confidence.
Stability and prudent economic policies have never been needed more following the resignation of Liz Truss after only six weeks.
China’s recovery lacks momentum and is over-reliant on exports while badly needed healthy domestic consumption is lacking.
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.
Despite the steep price that Shanghai has paid, the city has failed to find a new way for China to deal with the Omicron variant.
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.
President leads top party and state leaders to pay last respects as flags fly at half mast across the country.
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.
City and country flags flying at half staff at Tamar in Admiralty, Government House, Hong Kong International Airport and all border crossings.
Readers pay tribute to China’s former premier for his efforts in the economic sphere, and for his connection to Hong Kong
Chinese state media is reporting that flags will fly at half mast, giving Li the same honours that applied to Li Peng.
The public come out in person to lay flowers over the weekend at Li’s childhood home and key places in his career.
Some universities have asked student counsellors and leaders not to arrange mourning activities, fearing they could turn into protests.
‘Grievously saddened’ science community remembers former premier’s unwavering support for basic research as a driver of national growth.
City leader John Lee says his administration will closely follow any announcements made by Beijing regarding commemoration arrangements for Li.
‘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.
Two sources say Li – whose body has been flown to Beijing – had previously had coronary artery bypass surgery.
The late premier began his career in the Communist Party with a stint working in the countryside.
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.
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.
Foreign diplomats, business leaders and China watchers around the world joined the Chinese public in remembering Li who died on Friday.
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.
Li addresses few international issues in his debut press conference after the close of the national legislature’s annual session.
Eight high-ranking officials overseeing areas such as finance, education and technology to join city leader John Lee on week-long trip to Beijing.
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.
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.
Zheng Yanxiong, director of central government’s liaison office, tells Hong Kong politicians city’s affairs are ‘of national importance’.
NPC to give stamp of legitimacy to State Council reform plan and new leadership line-up as its annual session continues this week.
Li promoted the private economy, foreign investment and simpler government procedures – even when his power waned.
Foreign financial institutions such as Fidelity International and Neuberger Berman have accelerated the launch of mutual funds and wholly-owned units in mainland China to tap its 26 trillion yuan (US$3.7 trillion) mutual-fund market.
Analysts say that attracting more foreign investment, especially from the US and Europe, could help curb decoupling with the West, but ‘restoring positive business sentiment cannot be done overnight’.
