Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, passed away at the age of 68 due to a heart attack. Li, who served as China’s No. 2 leader from 2013 to 2023, was known for his advocacy of private business. However, his authority diminished under President Xi Jinping’s tightened control over the economy and society. Li’s role as the top economic official was to improve conditions for entrepreneurs, but the ruling party under Xi increased the dominance of state-owned industries and tightened its control over various sectors. Foreign companies began to feel unwelcome as Xi called for economic self-reliance and implemented stricter laws. Despite being considered a contender to succeed Hu Jintao as the Communist Party leader in 2013, Li was passed over in favor of Xi. He was eventually dropped from the party’s ruling seven-member Standing Committee in 2022. Xi filled the top party ranks with loyalists, signaling the end of consensus leadership and possibly making himself leader for life. Li’s predecessor, Wen Jiabao, had apologized for not implementing reforms quickly enough to sustain economic growth. Li recognized the challenges faced by China, such as over-reliance on investment and a wealth gap between urban and rural areas. He was seen as a candidate to revive market-oriented reforms but was known for his easygoing style. Li’s political career was also marked by a series of unfortunate events, including fatal fires and deadly disasters during his term. He oversaw China’s response to COVID-19 and implemented unprecedented controls to combat the virus. In his last official act, Li announced the relaxation of anti-virus controls to reduce disruption and revive the economy. Born in Anhui province in 1955, Li studied law at Peking University and held various party posts before obtaining his Ph.D. in economics in 1994.
Breaking News: Chinese Premier’s Untimely Passing due to Heart Attack at 68
