Li Keqiang held the position of China’s Premier for a decade, from 2013 to March of this year, under the leadership of Xi Jinping. During his tenure, he steered China’s economy through turbulent times, including trade tensions with the U.S., rising government debt, unemployment challenges, and the global Covid-19 pandemic.
In his final year of service, Li, an economist by profession, emphasized the challenges posed to China’s economy due to widespread Covid-19 lockdowns. He also advocated for measures to enhance employment and ensure economic stability.
Li’s approach to international relations, especially with the West, was notably different. He often emphasized the shared interests between China and the U.S., advocating for a focus on common ground and expanding mutual interests.
Throughout his tenure, Li was a staunch supporter of China’s integration into the global economy. Even as he faced challenges from Xi’s more state-controlled approach, Li consistently emphasized the importance of continuing the “reform and opening” policy.
Li’s commitment to addressing societal challenges was evident in his remarks about the economic disparities within China. He highlighted that approximately 40% of China’s population, or around 600 million people, had a monthly income of just 1,000 yuan ($137). These comments underscored China’s ongoing efforts to alleviate poverty.
Li’s relationship with Xi’s predecessor, Hu Jintao, was notable. Both leaders shared economic sensibilities and had risen through the ranks of the Communist Party’s Youth League. However, the influence of this faction has waned under Xi’s leadership.
Li’s journey in the Communist Party began in the 1980s, and he held various key positions, including party chief of Liaoning province and provincial leader of Henan. Unlike Xi, Li did not hail from a prominent party family and was not considered a “princeling.”
Li’s departure from top leadership roles in the Communist Party was marked by his absence from the party’s Central Committee during a leadership reshuffle last October. He was succeeded as premier by Li Qiang, a close ally of Xi.
Reflecting on Li’s legacy, Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, remarked that Li’s departure signified a dwindling number of reform-minded leaders in China’s top echelons.