Beijing : In a saddening turn of events, former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has passed away at the age of 68, as reported by state media.
Li, who held the position of the second most powerful figure within the Chinese Communist Party until his retirement last year, suffered a sudden heart attack while “resting” in Shanghai on Thursday. Despite “all-out efforts” to revive him, Li succumbed to his condition, with his passing occurring ten minutes past midnight on Friday, as stated by state broadcaster CCTV.
Throughout his political career, Li made significant strides within the Communist Party despite not having a substantial power base. He even had aspirations to assume the top role of President at one point. Trained as an economist, Li initially oversaw China’s economy, but analysts observed his increasing marginalization towards the latter part of his career, especially as Chinese President Xi Jinping consolidated power within his inner circle.
In his final term, Li was the only incumbent top official who did not belong to President Xi’s loyalist group, signaling his alignment with former leader Hu Jintao. Li’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief and remembrance online, with one person on Chinese social media describing it as akin to losing “a pillar of our home.”
Li Keqiang was renowned for his pragmatic economic policies that aimed at reducing the wealth gap and providing affordable housing. His strong economic track record left a lasting legacy, but the end of his tenure was marked by China’s zero-Covid crisis. During the height of the crisis, he faced the challenging task of balancing economic pressures with the imperative of maintaining strict health measures. His stance on protecting the economy sometimes diverged from President Xi’s approach of maintaining stringent zero-Covid measures.
“He was a very enthusiastic and open man who strove to advance China and foster open dialogue with people from all walks of life,” remarked Bert Hofman, a professor at the National University of Singapore, reflecting on Li’s leadership. The passing of Li Keqiang marks a significant moment in China’s political landscape, leaving a void in the nation’s leadership and economic direction.
