What's happened
Li Qiang has been elected as China's next premier, succeeding Li Keqiang.
Why it matters
The appointment of Li Qiang as China's premier is significant as it demonstrates President Xi Jinping's consolidation of power and his emphasis on authoritarian Communist control over society. It also highlights the tension between Xi's control and the free market, business-friendly policies that have underpinned China's rise. The direction of the world's second-largest economy now depends on how these tensions play out.
What the papers say
The New York Times emphasizes the tension between Xi's control and business-friendly policies, while The Independent highlights Li Qiang's role in implementing the Covid lockdown in Shanghai. BBC News focuses on Li Qiang's pragmatism and his task of reviving China's struggling economy.
How we got here
President Xi Jinping was confirmed to a third term as state president, solidifying his position as China's most dominant leader. The annual meeting of China's rubber-stamp legislature is taking place, where loyalists to Xi are being elevated to key leadership positions. These leaders will be responsible for reviving the economy, bolstering security, and seeking self-sufficiency in strategic technologies.
More on these topics
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Li Qiang is a Chinese politician and a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. He is the current Party Committee Secretary of Shanghai, and formerly served as Governor of Zhejiang and Party Secretary of Jiangsu.
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Xi Jinping is a Chinese politician serving as the general secretary of the Communist Party of China, president of the People's Republic of China, and chairman of the Central Military Commission.
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Shanghai is one of the four direct-administered municipalities of the People's Republic of China. It is under the direct administration of the State Council of China.