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Li Qiang, born in Wenzhou in 1959, became China's premier in March 2023. Li’s first provincial government job was in the civil affairs department, providing welfare to the rural poor. He was appointed party boss of Wenzhou in 2002 at the age of 43, making him the youngest person to take up that position in more than three decades, and he established himself there as a keen supporter of the city's private sector. He joined Zhejiang’s provincial party committee in 2003, less than a year after Xi took control of it, and was promoted to secretary general in 2004. He was Xi’s secretary until Xi left for Shanghai in 2007. Li became Zhejiang governor at the end of 2012 after Xi took over as Communist Party general secretary. In June 2016 he was named party secretary of Jiangsu province, but just 15 months later was appointed as the party secretary of Shanghai, where he oversaw increased foreign investment in the city, including the construction of Tesla's gigafactory. However, his reputation was stung in 2022 when he was blamed for a two-month Covid-19 lockdown that hurt the city's economy.
Premier Li Qiang leaves Tianjin audience in no doubt that winning back foreign investors is a priority and the country will continue to open up.
The president and new premier have once again shown strong support for the city, backing for private entrepreneurs and a pragmatic approach to take the country forward in the post-pandemic era.
Premier Li Qiang spoke during the opening ceremony of the inaugural China International Supply Chain Expo on Tuesday in Beijing.
The unexpected appointment makes him the first official to lead a top Communist Party organisation that would typically be chaired by Chinese president.
Bloc’s top officials confirmed to meet President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang while concerns about Beijing subsidies and Ukraine support persist.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang watches on as Olympic Council of Asia chief Raja Randhir Singh hails Hangzhou event an ‘unprecedented success’.
While visiting tech powerhouses, Li says industry should transform into one that concentrates on high-end, intelligent and green technology.
Chinese premier seeks to assure Southeast Asian leaders the region is still a priority for Beijing and pushes for more talks on ‘free trade area version 3.0’ while attending business summit.
Li Qiang held brief talks with several foreign leaders including US President Biden at the G20 summit in India, Chinese foreign ministry confirms.
Li meets European Council President Charles Michel on sidelines of G20, telling him Beijing will work to strengthen dialogue and properly handle sensitive issues, says state media.
Speaking at an event that President Xi Jinping skipped, Chinese Premier Li Qiang calls for joint effort to boost world economy and urges ‘unity not division’.
‘We all have had the immediate experience of how unity leads to prosperity while division brings decline,’ he tells summit attendees.
‘I was very clear with China … patience is wearing thin among American business. They need and deserve a predictable environment and a level playing field,’ the US commerce secretary said on Sunday.
China’s foreign ministry says it expects the meetings will ‘inject more stability’ into the regional situation.
The Chinese leader’s decision, if confirmed, comes amid rising tensions between India and China.
In his five months as premier, Li Qiang has been on the move at home and abroad, touting President Xi Jinping’s agenda while trying to empower the economy in the face of mounting questions and uncertainties.
Premier Li Qiang concluded a three-day visit to Guangdong province on Thursday, saying China was at a critical period of economic transformation and upgrading.
The new rules, which will take effect on January 1, mark Beijing’s latest initiative to advance the development of the nation’s digital economy.
Premier Li Qiang told a State Council meeting on Wednesday that China must ‘make sure that we fulfil our targets for the whole year’ despite more weak economic data for July being released earlier this week.
Premier Li Qiang concluded a two-day inspection of Shanghai’s free-trade zone on Thursday, saying the markets are ‘still tasked with important missions’ amid China’s slowing post-Covid recovery.
Premier Li Qiang told 1,500 foreign-policy makers and business executives at the World Economic Forum meeting in Tianjin on Tuesday that China’s economic growth in the second quarter will be faster than 4.5 per cent in the first quarter.
Premier Li Qiang gave the opening address to the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in the northern port city of Tianjin on Tuesday.
Li and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh discuss South China Sea disputes and areas development issues.
Premier Li Qiang is expected to address the World Economic Forum’s 14th Annual Meeting of the New Champions on Tuesday in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin at a time China’s economy is facing prolonged challenges.
Observers say Li Qiang could be trying to show deference to the president and to cut down on bureaucracy.
‘Risk prevention and cooperation are not opposites’, Li tells Berlin meeting of industry leaders.
Next week’s visit comes at a time when Beijing is keen to improve ties with Europe in the face of growing US pressure.
Premier Li welcomed representatives from the centre-left SDP, one-third of Germany’s coalition government, to Beijing on Monday.
