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Passing of Ex-Chinese Premier Li Keqiang: An Overview
Ex-Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has tragically passed away at the age of 68 in Shanghai on Friday. He died due to a sudden heart attack. Li, a reform-minded bureaucrat, was once considered a potential future leader of China. But he served as Premier under President Xi Jinping for a decade.
Ex-Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Reformist Agenda
During his tenure as Premier, Li Keqiang was a strong advocate for economic reforms, standing out as a more modern and approachable figure compared to his peers. His proficiency in the English language further highlighted his unique position.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite his reformist stance, Li’s reputation was marred by his handling of a major HIV/AIDS epidemic that stemmed from a tainted blood donation program during his time as the party boss in Henan province. Authorities responded with a crackdown on activists and the media rather than holding officials accountable for the crisis. His leadership also witnessed a series of national-level health scandals.
Li’s Early Life and Career
Li Keqiang’s early life was marked by toiling as a manual laborer during China’s Cultural Revolution. He later earned a law degree from Peking University, where he was exposed to Western and liberal political theories. However, his outlook became more orthodox after joining the bureaucratic ranks in the mid-80s. He held key positions in provinces such as Henan and Liaoning, overseeing economic growth in those regions, and served as a deputy to then-Premier Wen Jiabao.
Shifting Political Landscape and Economic Challenges
Li’s leadership was marked by challenges due to the increasing authority of President Xi Jinping. It’s results in a shift from consensus-based rule to more centralized power. Additionally, China’s economy began to slow during Li’s time in office, partly due to the impact of COVID-19 and a housing market crisis.
Legacy and Succession
Li’s successor, Li Qiang, a close ally of President Xi Jinping, marked a departure from Li’s reformist agenda, signaling Beijing’s tightening grip over the slowing economy. In his final speech as outgoing Premier, Li expressed optimism about China’s economic recovery and its potential for further growth. Historian Jeremiah Jenne described Li as a last bastion of reason and compassion in an otherwise ideologically charged era.
After the death of the Former China Chinese Premier Li Keqiang some reactions by politician are given below:
Adam Ni, who is indipendent China political analyst, author. He said, “”Li was a premier who stood powerless as China took a sharp turn away from reform and opening.”
Dali Yang who is Politics Professor, University of Chicago. He epressed, “The scope of Li’s policymaking and implementation had become more subordinated under President Xi Jinping, who had unabashedly dominated in politics and policy making, relegating Li to playing second fiddle.” He also added “Xi had Signifificantly overshadowed Li, leaving him with less roomfor initiative that past premiers.”
Malcon Trunbull is an ex-prime minister of Australia. He said via social media, “I always found Premier Li to be a charming and constructive counterparty who was not tied to the official talking points and engaged candidly and thoughtfully on the big issue of the day.”
HiroKazu Matsuno Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary. He said, “Former Premier Li Keqiang played an important role in Sino-Japanese relations, including his official visit to ur country during the trilateral summit between japan, China and South Korea in May 2018. We hereby offer sincere condolences and prayer for Former Premeir Li Keqiang.”
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