Li Keqiang

Li Keqiang was a Chinese economist and politician who served as the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China from 2013 to 2023. As premier, he was the head of government under President Xi Jinping, responsible for managing the State Council and the day-to-day administration of the country. His tenure was marked by a focus on economic restructuring, poverty alleviation, and managing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was a senior member of the Chinese Communist Party and served on its Politburo Standing Committee.

Early life and education

Born in Hefei, Anhui province, he experienced the Cultural Revolution during his youth and was sent to work in the countryside in Fengyang County. In 1978, he gained admission to the Peking University Law Department, where he became actively involved in student politics. At Peking University, he studied under the prominent legal scholar Gong Xiangrui and earned a bachelor's degree in law. He later pursued graduate studies in economics at the same institution, earning a doctorate under the supervision of economist Li Yining, which solidified his expertise in economic reform.

Political career

His early political career was rooted in the Chinese Communist Youth League, where he became a protégé of Hu Jintao. He served in various regional posts, including as the Communist Party Secretary of Henan province and later Liaoning province. In Henan, he oversaw responses to the AIDS blood scandal, while in the industrial heartland of Liaoning, he focused on revitalizing the state-owned enterprise sector. His performance led to his promotion to the national stage, becoming a Vice Premier in 2008 under Premier Wen Jiabao, where he managed key portfolios like macroeconomic planning and healthcare reform.

Premiership

Appointed as Premier in 2013, he was responsible for implementing the economic and social policies set by the Politburo Standing Committee. His premiership involved steering the world's second-largest economy through a period of slowing growth, advocating for "Likonomics," which emphasized deleveraging and structural reform. He played a central role in managing major domestic challenges, including the Tianjin explosions and the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan. Internationally, he represented China at forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos and engaged in diplomacy with leaders such as Angela Merkel of Germany.

Economic policies

His economic philosophy was characterized by a push for sustainable growth and market-oriented reforms. He championed policies like "Mass entrepreneurship and innovation" to foster new drivers of growth and oversaw major initiatives such as "Internet Plus" and "Made in China 2025." A key focus was on poverty alleviation, a cornerstone of the Xi Jinping administration, aiming to lift millions out of poverty. He also advocated for cutting red tape and streamlining administrative approvals to improve the business environment, while managing complex issues like local government debt and the transition of the Chinese property sector.

Personal life and death

He was married to Cheng Hong, an English professor at Capital University of Economics and Business. Known for his relatively low-key public persona and proficiency in English, he was an avid reader of classical Chinese literature and Western economic texts. He died of a sudden heart attack on 27 October 2023 in Shanghai. His death was met with official condolences from the Chinese Communist Party and state leaders, including a public mourning period, and he was accorded a state funeral. Tributes highlighted his decades of service to the party and his role in China's economic development.

Category:1955 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Premiers of the People's Republic of China