Li Keqiang

Li Keqiang (Chinese: 李克强; pinyin: Lǐ Kèqiáng; 3 July 1955 – 27 October 2023) was a Chinese politician and economist. He served as Premier of China from 2013 to 2023 and was an important leader in the Chinese Communist Party. Li was born in Hefei, Anhui province, and worked his way up through the Communist Youth League of China before becoming a key figure in Chinese politics.

During his time as premier, Li focused on changing China's economy. He wanted to move away from just selling goods to other countries and encouraged people in China to buy more goods themselves. He helped create the Shanghai Free-Trade Zone and supported new ideas and inventions. Li was known for his knowledge of economics and was seen as someone who wanted to make changes to improve China. He stepped down from his leadership roles in 2022 and 2023 and died in October 2023 from a heart attack.

Early life and education

Li Keqiang was born on July 3, 1955, in Dingyuan County, near Hefei in Anhui province. His father worked as a local official. After finishing high school in 1974 during a big change called the Cultural Revolution, Li worked in a village in Fengyang County, Anhui. There, he joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1976 and became a leader in his small work group.

Li chose to study at Peking University Law School in 1978 instead of taking a leading job his father offered. He became president of the student council and studied Western politics with a teacher trained in Britain. He helped translate important books about law from English to Chinese, finishing his law degree in 1982.

Later, Li studied economics at Peking University, earning both a master’s and a doctorate. His dissertation about China’s economy won a top prize in 1996. He became a leader in the Communist Youth League of China in 1993, serving until 1998. During this time, he started a program to send young volunteers to help with education, community projects, and the environment.

Provincial tenures

Henan (1998–2004)

Li became the youngest governor of a Chinese province in June 1998 when he was appointed governor of Henan at the age of 43. He also served as Henan's Deputy Party Secretary. Li was known for focusing on work and avoiding fancy events not related to government activities. During his time as governor, he worked hard to improve the economy in Henan, turning the area into a place where businesses wanted to invest. He traveled throughout the province to find ways to solve its problems. In 2002, he became the leader of the Henan Provincial Party Committee, and by 2004, Henan had moved up in the national rankings for economic strength. However, his efforts were less successful in addressing health issues in rural areas.

Liaoning (2004–2007)

In December 2004, Li moved to work as the Party secretary of Liaoning. There, he started a project called the "Five Points and One Line," connecting several ports to improve trade. In 2005, he set a goal to improve living conditions in poor areas of the province within three years, working with the central government. This effort removed a large amount of old housing by 2007 and helped him gain support from people. Li also created an economic measure called the "Li Keqiang index" to better understand the real health of the economy, using data like train cargo, electricity use, and bank loans instead of just total economic numbers.

Vice premiership (2008–2013)

See also: Hu–Wen Administration

Li became a member of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee in October 2007. He was expected to become the next leader of China, but Xi Jinping was chosen instead. In 2008, Li was chosen as the first-ranking vice premier, which meant he was likely to become the next premier. As vice premier, Li was in charge of many important areas, including the economy, government budgets, land, resources, the environment, and health. He also oversaw big projects like the Three Gorges Dam and the South–North Water Transfer Project.

In 2008, Li helped create an economic stimulus program to support China’s economy after natural disasters and a worldwide financial problem. He spoke at an important meeting in Davos, Switzerland, in 2010, sharing China’s plans for a better future, including using more green energy and making sure everyone had fair chances. Li also talked about the need to change China’s economy to keep growing, focusing on helping more people become middle class and improving things like healthcare.

Premiership (2013–2023)

Main articles: 12th State Council of China and 13th State Council of China

Li became an important leader in China after the 18th meeting of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2012. He was expected to become the leader of the government, which was different from past rules. At a meeting, Li talked about China needing to focus on four main areas for growth: industry, technology, cities, and farming.

In March 2013, Li was chosen to be the leader of the government by the Chinese people’s meeting. He started his work by asking for simpler rules in the government, better sharing of money, and continuing to improve the economy. Li wanted China to grow by selling more of its products instead of depending on other countries.

Domestic policy

As leader, Li worked on many important issues. He visited areas that had earthquakes and asked for quick help. He also talked about ways to keep people healthy and safe. Li started groups to help different parts of China grow and improve.

Li opened special economic areas to help trade and business. He also talked about making sure people had jobs and that the economy stayed strong. Li visited many places in China to check on projects and talk to people about their needs.

Economy

Li believed in using good information to help make decisions for the country. When he started, China had some problems with too much debt and not enough money coming in. Li worked on reducing debt, stopping big spending, and changing the economy to grow in new ways.

Li thought cities growing bigger would help the economy. He encouraged new ideas and inventions, like online shopping, to create new jobs. He also cut taxes to help businesses and people.

Bureaucracy

Li did not like unnecessary rules and paperwork. He told stories about government workers asking for too much proof for simple things, like asking a family to prove their parent is really their parent. He wanted government workers to be more helpful and less strict.

COVID-19

Starting in 2020, Li led China’s efforts to handle a big health problem. He visited the place where it started to organize help. Later, he talked about focusing on jobs and the economy while keeping people safe. He also talked about being open and honest about health issues.

Foreign affairs

Li visited many countries to talk about friendship and trade. He went to India, Switzerland, Germany, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He met leaders like the president of India, leaders of European countries, and the leader of Pakistan. In 2015, he even took a picture with the leader of India at a famous place in Beijing.

Post-premiership (2023)

Li Keqiang confirmed in March 2022 that he would leave his job as premier of China when his term ended in March 2023. During a big meeting in October 2022, he stepped down from an important party group. His time as premier officially ended on March 11, 2023, and he was succeeded by Li Qiang, a close ally of Xi.

After leaving his job in March 2023, Li visited the Mogao Caves in Gansu in August 2023. This was his first public appearance after leaving his job and his last before he passed away.

Death

Main article: Death of Li Keqiang

Li Keqiang passed away at the age of 68 on 27 October 2023 after experiencing a heart problem the day before. He was at a hospital in Pudong when this happened.

A memorial service was held later, and many important leaders attended. Flags were lowered at many places in China in his honor. An article published later praised his work and service to the country.

Personal life

Li was married to Cheng Hong, a teacher who studied English literature, especially American stories, at a university in Beijing. He could speak both Chinese and English well. His father-in-law had an important job in a group that helped young people in China.

Political views

Li Keqiang was known for supporting economic changes and making the economy more open. He was seen as a practical leader who focused on solving problems rather than strict ideas. In August 2022, he spoke in Shenzhen about how Deng Xiaoping helped improve China's economy, but this speech was later removed by the government. A former classmate, Wang Juntao, said Li was very interested in changing how the government works.

Economy

In February 2012, Li wrote that China’s economy didn’t rely enough on people buying things. He suggested ways to help more people earn better wages, such as raising salaries, improving safety nets, offering business help, supporting affordable housing, and making healthcare more reachable for everyone.

Awards and honors

Li Keqiang received many awards and honors from different countries. In 2014, he was given the Gold Medal of the Hellenic Parliament by Greece. In 2013, he received the Nishan-e-Pakistan award from Pakistan.

Publications

Li Keqiang worked with other writers to create a book in December 2018. The book is called The Strategic Choice for China's Prosperity. It was translated into English by two people and published in Singapore.