![]() Some views have it that Shanghai’s apt and targeted anti-Covid measures were effective in the early stages, speaking of the inclusive and innovative nature of Li Qiang’s policies. ![]() But his star fell earlier this year when Shanghai’s pandemic spun out of control, causing much public angst. The elevation of Li Qiang to the number two spot in the PSC came as a surprise to many.įive years ago when he became a member of the 19th Politburo and the Shanghai party secretary, many believed that he had a bright future. New Politburo Standing Committee members Xi Jinping (left) and Li Qiang arrive to meet the media following the 20th Party Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 23 October 2022. When that happens, the Chinese State Council will bid farewell to the Li Keqiang era and enter the Li Qiang era. With a solemn expression and careful steps, Li took a calculated pause before going on stage, keeping a greater distance from Xi in front of him.Īs the number two in the PSC, Li is expected to take over Li Keqiang’s role as premier at the annual Two Sessions next March. Walking closely behind CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping was Shanghai party secretary Li Qiang. The appointment of Li is just one of a slate of loyalists that Xi is placing in key positions amid China’s biggest power reshuffle in a decade.The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s new Politburo Standing Committee (PSC) met with local and foreign press at the Golden Hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on 23 October. Li will now make his closely watched debut on the international stage on Monday during the premier’s traditional question-and-answer session with the media after the parliamentary session ends. Now that containment is gone, they won’t accept another,” Beddor said. “The leadership has already accepted two years of exceptionally weak economic growth in the name of COVID containment. Li’s top task this year will be beating that target without triggering serious inflation or piling on debt, Christopher Beddor, deputy China research director at Gavekal Dragonomics, told the Reuters news agency. He will also have to tackle weak global demand for exports, lingering US tariff hikes, a shrinking workforce and an ageing population.Ĭhina’s economy grew by just 3 percent last year and on the opening day of parliament, Beijing set a modest 2023 growth target of about 5 percent, its lowest goal in nearly three decades. Prior to the pandemic, Li built up a reputation in Zhejiang and Shanghai as friendly to private industry – even as Xi enforced tighter political controls and anti-COVID curbs – as well as having more control over e-commerce and other tech companies.Īs premier, Li will be charged with reviving China’s sluggish economy still emerging from the pandemic. ![]() China’s former Premier Li Keqiang shakes hands with newly elected Premier Li Qiang as China’s President Xi Jinping looks on during the fourth plenary session of the National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on Ma Li came to know Xi during the then-future president’s term as head of Li’s native Zhejiang, a relatively wealthy southeastern province now known as a technology and manufacturing powerhouse. In doing so, he proved his loyalty to Xi in the face of protests and complaints from residents over their lack of access to food, medical care and basic services. ![]() Li is best known for having enforced a brutal “zero-COVID” lockdown in Shanghai last spring as party boss of the Chinese financial hub. The rubber-stamp confirmation of Li’s position came a day after Xi, 69, secured an unrivalled third five-year term as president, setting him up to possibly rule for life and confirming him as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong. The 63-year-old received votes from nearly all the more than 2,900 delegates who voted. Li was nominated by Xi and appointed to the position with no dissenting voices at Saturday morning’s session of the National People’s Congress, China’s ceremonial parliament, in Beijing. China has named Li Qiang, a close confidant of President Xi Jinping, as the country’s next premier, placing him nominally in charge of the world’s second-largest economy, which is now facing some of its worst prospects in years. ![]()
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