Li Keqiang, China’s former premier, died at the age of 68 on October 27, 2023. He suffered a heart attack and died in Shanghai.
Li served as premier from 2013 to 2023, the second-highest position in China’s political system. He was known as a reformer who pushed for economic liberalization and social justice. However, his power was gradually eroded by President Xi Jinping, who consolidated his control over the party and government.
Li was born in Dingyuan County, Anhui Province, in 1955. He graduated from Peking University Law School in 1982 and then earned a doctorate in economics from Tsinghua University. He began his political career as a secretary to a provincial party leader and rose through the ranks of the Communist Party.
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In 1998, Li was appointed governor of Henan Province, the youngest provincial governor in China at the time. He served as governor for six years and then as party secretary for two years. During his time in Henan, Li oversaw a period of rapid economic growth and social development.
In 2007, Li was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee, the party’s top decision-making body. He served as vice premier for five years before being appointed premier in 2013.
As premier, Li focused on economic development, poverty alleviation, and environmental protection. He also played a key role in China’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Li was a respected figure in China and internationally. He was known for his intelligence, pragmatism, and commitment to reform. His death is a loss for China and the world.