China’s Former Premier Li Keqiang Passes Away at 68
China’s former premier Li Keqiang tragically passed away in Shanghai after suffering a heart attack, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. He was 68 years old.
The news of Li’s death has shocked and saddened many on Chinese social media, with people expressing their condolences.
Li was known for his focus on economic reforms and had a close relationship with former president Hu Jintao. However, his views sometimes clashed with those of Hu’s successor, President Xi Jinping.
After Li’s term as premier ended, President Xi continued for a third term as president and appointed Li Qiang, the former Shanghai party secretary, as the new premier.
As the premier, Li was also the head of China’s top executive body, the State Council. In recent years, President Xi has been consolidating his power and increasing the role of the ruling Chinese Communist Party in the government.
In 2020, Li Keqiang famously highlighted the low income levels of over 600 million people in China, emphasizing that their monthly income of barely 1,000 yuan ($137) was insufficient to rent a room in a medium-sized Chinese city.
Li also inspired the unofficial “Li Keqiang Index,” which uses electricity consumption, rail cargo, and bank lending as indicators of the economy. The accuracy of China’s official economic figures is widely doubted.
During his tenure, Li advocated for promoting trade cooperation, removing internal restrictions on the flow of people and goods, and encouraging mass entrepreneurship and innovation.
In 2015, Li presented the “Made in China 2025” strategy in a government work report, aiming to enhance domestic technological capabilities. This initiative received significant attention from the U.S. and Europe.
Li, born in Anhui province in July 1955, studied law and economics at Peking University, where he eventually earned a Doctor of Economics degree, according to state media.
His early government roles included serving as the governor of Henan province and holding party leadership positions in Liaoning province.
In 2007, Li became a member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee Politburo Standing Committee, the highest circle of power. He served as vice premier from 2008 to 2013, before becoming premier.
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