The article praised him for his push for the Belt and Road Initiative, the Xi-led strategy aimed at trade and economic integration in Asia, Europe and Africa. He was also credited with his efforts toward economic stability.
He overcame challenges, including “the accelerating changes in the world, the Covid-19 epidemic and the economic downturn,” the obituary says, but worked steadily and strived for progress.
The obituary described most of his work during his term as “under the leadership of the party with General Secretary Xi Jinping at the core.” Li’s support for Xi was said to have continued even after the former premier’s resignation in March.
The obituary said that in March, after Li retired, “he firmly supported the leadership of the Central Committee with Xi as the core, concerned with the development of the party and the country, and the party’s efforts to build a clean slate.” Government took care of “fighting corruption”.
Li died in Shanghai on Friday morning. State broadcaster CCTV reported that he had suffered a heart attack the day before.
Chinese media attributed their reports to CCTV or state news agency Xinhua, which made the announcement shortly after 8 a.m.
00:55
Former Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang has died of a heart attack
Former Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang has died of a heart attack
The Yan’an Expressway, which connects Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport to the city center, was closed from Friday morning, prompting speculation that some senior state officials would fly to Shanghai.
A security guard in uniform standing at the entrance of the Dongjiao State Guest Hotel, a state-run hotel in Shanghai’s Pudong New Area, said on Friday afternoon that operations at the entire hotel had been suspended until further notice.
Another worker said Li “died in the hotel,” adding that the entrance was “full of police in the morning.”
At the Foreign Ministry press conference Friday afternoon, spokeswoman Mao Ning said, “We expressed our condolences” when reporters asked her for comment on Li’s death. Mao also urged journalists to pay attention to official obituaries and funeral announcements.
As of 9 a.m. Friday, the hashtag about Li’s death had been read nearly 700 million times on the social media platform Weibo. On the posts about Li, Weibo’s “like” button turned into a daisy about half an hour later.
Comments are severely restricted among media outlets’ posts, with only a small number displayed. But among the reposts, most online commenters express shock and condolences.
Several videos of Li have been circulating on social media, including his remarks during a press conference at the National People’s Congress last year, when he said China’s opening-up policy will not change, “just as the course of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers will not change.” “. turned around”.
After taking office as prime minister in 2013, he consistently advocated for the private sector, foreign investment and simplified government processes.
Chinese President Xi Jinping (left) shakes hands with former premier Li Keqiang during the fourth plenary session of the National People’s Congress in the Great Hall in March, which marked Li’s resignation after two five-year terms. Photo: Portal
Under President Xi Jinping, much of the decision-making power over economic affairs previously held by the State Council has been taken over by party organs, as Xi pushes to strengthen the Communist Party’s control in all areas.
A long article in which Wu Hai, later founder of Mei KTV, lamenting the business environment in China was posted online in 2015 caught the attention of Li, who invited him to speak at a seminar in Zhongnanhai, the leadership center.
The outspoken entrepreneur cried on Friday as he remembered the late prime minister in a telephone interview with the South China Morning Post.
“He really did his best and everything he could for this country, for the Chinese economy, especially for the business environment,” Wu said. “I hope that what he has done for the country can continue.”
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James Zimmerman, former chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in China, responded to the message shortly after 9:30 a.m., describing it as “sad” and recalling his meetings with the former premier that began when Li was vice premier in 2008.
At the time, Li was chairing a conference to promote development and investment in the region after an earthquake, fearing that the disaster would damage business confidence.
“Li was considered a pragmatic leader and promoted economic reforms,” Zimmerman said, adding that Li was considered “less ideological” than others in the leadership, but his voice was later sidelined.
“His death is a significant loss for the moderate voices in the party leadership,” he added in an email to the Post.
Li resigned in March along with Wang Yang, former chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China’s top political advisory body, even though he had not yet reached the retirement age set for his position.
At the time, a Xinhua article on the selection of top cadres said that the decision of some senior officials to volunteer to help younger people showed “generosity and high moral integrity,” without mentioning anyone by name.
The March parliamentary session – also known as the “two sessions” – was Li’s last public appearance. He presented his final government work report at the opening ceremony of the National People’s Congress.
According to videos circulating on social media, Li was seen visiting the Mogao Caves, a world heritage site in northwestern Gansu province, in late August, but there were no official reports mentioning the tour.
Li is survived by his wife Cheng Hong, a professor of English literature at the Beijing Capital University of Economics and Business, who has published several collections of essays or translations. According to official media reports, the couple has a daughter.
Li’s brother, Li Keming, was once a senior official at China Tobacco, which oversees the country’s tobacco industry and is responsible for the production and sales of cigarettes. Li Keming also once headed a State Council agency that oversees large state-owned enterprises.
Additional reporting by Ann Cao