Li Keqiang (1955-2023): A moderate voice who advocated for economic reform

The former premier of China was once seen as a contender for party leadership

Published Fri, Oct 27, 2023 · 04:26 PM

LI Keqiang, the former Chinese premier who served under President Xi Jinping and was seen as a leading proponent of market-oriented reform in an increasingly state-led economy, has died aged 68, months after leaving office.

The senior Communist Party official, who until March was the head of Xi’s Cabinet and led economic policy for a decade, suffered a heart attack on Thursday (Oct 26) in Shanghai, Xinhua said.

The state-run news agency said “despite all-out rescue efforts”, the former second-ranked official passed away 10 minutes past midnight on Friday.