Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passes Away at 68: Official Announcement

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According to state media, former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who was once regarded as a leader with reform-focused views and a potential candidate for the top leadership role, passed away from a sudden heart attack in Shanghai on early Friday.

At 68 years old, Li, formerly considered China's second-in-command until recently, held the position of the country's premier, responsible for the economy, for ten years from 2013 to March of this year, during Xi Jinping's strong leadership.

During his tenure, Li successfully steered the second-largest economy in the world through a difficult period characterized by increasing technology and trade disputes with the United States, a surge in government debt and unemployment, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his last year in office, Li, an economist by profession, consistently emphasized the various challenges faced by China's economy due to widespread Covid-19 lockdowns. At the same time, he supported initiatives aimed at bolstering employment and ensuring economic stability.

Li, who occasionally showcases his proficiency in the English language during public engagements beyond mainland China, was regarded as a symbol of a unique approach to China's global relations, particularly in a period marked by growing tensions between the country and the Western world.

During his annual press conference in March 2021, when asked by CNN, Li expressed, "China and the United States share common interests. It is imperative for both nations to prioritize areas of mutual agreement and foster a broadening of converging interests."

Social media users shared a quote from Li's 2022 address to China's rubber stamp parliament, following the news of his death on Friday. In the address, Li committed to maintaining China's path of greater openness, regardless of changes in the international environment. Li, an educated technocrat with qualifications in law and economics, was known for his support of the private sector and a policy approach that differed from Xi's, who has strengthened the Chinese Communist Party's authority over the economy.

A reform-minded leader

During his tenure of ten years, Li played a crucial role in overseeing many of China's initiatives to boost economic growth. Despite finding himself gradually sidelined by Xi, Li remained a staunch advocate of the global integration of China's economy.

Amid mounting international skepticism regarding Beijing's commitment to the "reform and opening" policy, Li consistently emphasized to both foreign corporate executives and local officials that the party's foremost focus was still on fostering economic progress.

Throughout the country's Covid lockdowns, Li conducted meetings where he directed multiple government departments to address the logistical obstacles faced by foreign companies in resuming production.

"(Li) was the solitary individual from the Politburo Standing Committee who had publicly endorsed the perpetuation of (former leader) Deng Xiaoping's open-door policy, a stance that opposed Xi Jinping's inclination towards state-controlled measures," indicated Willy Lam, a senior fellow at the US-based Jamestown Foundation think tank,

China's President Xi Jinping participates in the final ceremony of the 20th Congress of the Chinese Communist Party at the esteemed Great Hall of the People in Beijing on October 22, 2022.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has consolidated his power following the Communist Party Congress and is positioned for a third term. Additionally, Li, who is known for his efforts to tackle social issues, raised awareness about the fact that approximately 600 million Chinese citizens, accounting for approximately 40% of the population, earn a monthly income of only 1,000 yuan ($137).

Made during the premier's annual press conference in 2020, these remarks served as a reminder of China's continuous efforts to eradicate poverty, even though Xi commended them as a source of national pride. Amid the pandemic, which led to extensive economic disruptions in various regions across the country, Li urged local officials to diligently implement measures that would stabilize the economy and provide support to small businesses and employment.

He was the most senior official to visit Wuhan in January 2020, during the city's lockdown and the global outbreak of Covid-19, making him the highest-ranking individual to do so.

Some of Li's economic initiatives seemed to highlight his disagreement with Xi, leading many to perceive him as lacking authority compared to previous premiers.

The premier's proposal to revive street stalls in order to stimulate economic growth and address the worsening jobs crisis received criticism from several state media outlets. The backlash from party-affiliated media outlets led to speculation of a conflict between the two highest-ranking party members regarding the best approach to boost the economy while adhering to strict pandemic controls.

Rise under Hu Jintao

Li is often viewed as a protégé of Hu Jintao, Xi's predecessor, under whose leadership China experienced a period of remarkable economic expansion from 2002 to 2012. Both individuals share similar economic perspectives and ascended to prominence through their involvement in the Communist Party's Youth League, renowned for fostering future leaders.

The faction was renowned for generating progressive leaders who came from modest family backgrounds, but it is widely believed that their influence was extinguished by Xi after he assumed power.

The connection between Li and Hu gained significant attention last year when the previous top leader was unexpectedly escorted out of the closing ceremony of the October 2022 Communist Party Congress, during which Xi further solidified his hold on power.

In a rare instance of spontaneity during a meticulously orchestrated occasion, Hu was guided out of the room, taking a moment to gently pat Li's emotionless face, who acknowledged the gesture with a nod before turning his attention to the departing ex-leader. State media later insinuated that Hu's departure was prompted by health concerns.

China's newly-elected Premier Li Qiang is seen taking an oath during the fourth plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 11, 2023. The photograph captures the moment vividly, credit to Greg Baker, who captured this image as part of his work for AFP/Getty Images.

China appoints Li Qiang, a trusted ally of Xi Jinping, as premier

Under Hu, Li was named to the partys top leadership body, the Politburo Standing Committee, in 2007.

Li, who hails from Anhui, gained valuable experience during his formative years when he was involved in manual labor with the Dongling Production Brigade in the eastern province. This period took place amidst the Cultural Revolution, a significant socio-political transformation initiated by the late Chinese leader, Mao Zedong. His expertise and dedication subsequently led him to hold prominent positions as the party chief in the industrially significant Liaoning province and as the provincial leader in the agriculturally vibrant Henan province.

Li was one of the earliest students to take the college entrance exam after its revival following the conclusion of the Cultural Revolution. In 1978, he joined the renowned Peking University, where he pursued law studies and subsequently earned a doctoral degree in economics.

In contrast to Xi, Li does not belong to the group of influential individuals in China known as the princelings, who come from powerful political families. He served in various roles within the Communist Youth League Central Committee throughout the 1980s and 90s.

He lost his position in the upper ranks of the party in October of last year after he failed to be appointed to its Central Committee during a leadership reshuffle that occurs every five years. This reshuffle saw Xi bringing in close allies to his side. Li, who was 67 at the time, was just one year away from the unofficial retirement age for senior leaders in the Chinese Communist Party.

Li Qiang, a loyalist of President Xi and former party chief of Shanghai, took over as premier earlier this year, succeeding the previous incumbent. According to Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, Li's departure from power implies a scarcity of senior leadership cadres who advocate for reforms.

"This is the harsh reality that lies before us. China has deviated from the future Lis vision once symbolized," he commented.

Reportedly, CNN's Juliana, Liu, Mengchen Zhang, Wayne Chang, and Nectar Gan made contributions to this article.