John AdoyiLi Keqiang, the 2-time Chinese Premier who was seen as a top economist died on Friday, China’s Central Television, reported.
Li died in Shanghai on Friday morning, shortly after suffering a heart attack. He was 68.
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“Comrade Li Keqiang, while resting in Shanghai in recent days, experienced a sudden heart attack on October 26 and after all-out efforts to revive him failed, died in Shanghai at ten minutes past midnight on Oct. 27,” CCTV reported. An obituary will be published later, it said.
The 68-year-old statesman had been an integral figure in Chinese politics for many years and served as the country’s Premier from 2013 to 2023.
Li Keqiang was born on July 1, 1955, in Hefei, Anhui Province, China. He rose through the ranks of the Communist Party of China and held various significant positions within the government, ultimately culminating in his appointment as Premier, the second-highest position in the Chinese leadership hierarchy. He became an economist after graduating from Peking University in China.
As Premier, Li Keqiang was widely recognized for his commitment to economic reform and his significant role in shaping China’s economic policies during his tenure. He was instrumental to steering the country through challenges such as economic restructuring, trade tensions with the United States and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to his economic contributions, Li was also known for his diplomatic efforts, representing China on the international stage in various important negotiations and forums.
According to media reports, Li was dropped from the Chinese government cabinet last year October due to his economic stands that were different from that of President Xi Jinping, under whom he had served as Premier from 2013. As an economist, Li believed in the market forces and private economy. A sharp contrast to the ideology of President Xi who believes in state controlled economy.
In his last conference as he retired in March, Premier Li said “No matter how the international winds and clouds change, China will unswervingly expand its opening up.”
“The Yangtze River and the Yellow River will not flow backwards.”
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