Li Keqiang was a former premier of China and the country’s top economic official for a decade, prior to his retirement in 2023 as the second ranking leader of the country.
- Died: October 27, 2023 (Who else died on October 27?)
- Details of death: Died in Shanghai of a heart attack at the age of 68.
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Li Keqiang’s legacy
Born in Born in Hefei, Anhui province, Li studied law and economics at Peking University, and he became interested in politics during the 1966-76 Cultural Revolution. He later got fully involved in politics via the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), where he served as secretary for six years. He became governor of Henan province in 1998, and at the time, he was the youngest Chinese provincial governor. He also served as the province’s party secretary until 2004, when he became party secretary of Liaoning. He rose to first-ranked vice premier under former premier Wen Jiabao from 2008 to 2013, with a focus on economic development and finance.
In 2013, Li became Premier of China. In that capacity, he shifted the country’s focus from exports to internal sales and consumption, and he supported reform and a liberalization of the country’s economics. Li also advocated for private business and for closing the country’s wealth gap, and he pushed to reduce bureaucracy. However, Li was sidelined in favor of those more loyal to President Xi Jinping as he rose to power, though Li remained in leadership roles. Li stepped down as premier in March 2023, at the end of his second term.
Notable quote
“While people work, heaven watches. Heaven has eyes.”—from Li’s March 2023 farewell speech
Tributes to Li Keqiang
Full obituary: The Washington Post
