Li Qiang, born on July 23, 1959, is a prominent Chinese politician and a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China. Currently, he holds the position of Premier of China, one of the nation's most powerful roles, and is responsible for steering the post-pandemic economy. He has been in the news recently after his appointment as the country's No. 2 leader during the annual National People's Congress.
Li's political career began in the 1980s when he started working for the China Youth Daily, where he met Xi Jinping, who would later become China's president. Li went on to serve as an official in several provinces before being appointed as the governor of Zhejiang province in 2012, where he worked closely with Xi. He later moved to Shanghai in 2017 to become the top-ranking official in the city, where he overseen Shanghai's Covid response, trying to limit restrictions and keep the virus in check.
Li Qiang's new role as Premier of China follows the departure of outgoing premier Li Keqiang, and he will be leading the world's second-largest economy amid some of its worst prospects in years, including a challenging economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Li is known as a close ally of President Xi Jinping and holds a reputation as a political hardliner, which is expected to influence his approach to the country's economic policies.
China's new Premier seeks to boost confidence in the economy
China's new Premier, Li Qiang, has promised to treat private-sector companies equally and protect the property rights of entrepreneurs in a bid to restore confidence in the country's faltering economy.
He faces several challenges in this role, including weak confidence among consumers and private businesses, declining population and job losses.
While Li insisted that China is open for business, there have been recent crackdowns on private enterprise by the Chinese Government affecting some companies, such as the tech and tutoring industries.
Xi Jinping's Third Term and Reshuffle of China's Top Officials
China's parliament, the National People's Congress, has concluded after almost nine days, where the country's president, Xi Jinping, was confirmed for a precedent-breaking third term.
Many prominent government positions were reshuffled, with Xi's allies, including Premier Li Qiang and Vice President Han Zheng, taking on key roles.
Xi stressed the importance of opposing pro-independence reforms in Taiwan and called for greater economic self-reliance during his closing speech.
Li Qiang appointed as China's Premier
China's former top official in Shanghai, Li Qiang, has been appointed as the Premier of China at the annual parliament.
He will head the State Council, leading a new team of top officials to be picked on Sunday, as President Xi Jinping begins his third term in office.
Li is tasked with steering the post-pandemic economy.
Li Qiang's Journey from Covid-stricken Shanghai to China's No. 2 Leader
The article discusses the journey of Li Qiang, former leader of Covid-stricken Shanghai, who has recently been appointed China's No. 2 leader.
The article highlights how the central government's intervention changed Shanghai's spirit of pragmatism and business-friendly character, and how it shifted to 'zero Covid' to align with Xi Jinping's pursuit of eliminating the virus.
China names close Xi confidant Li Qiang as Premier
China has appointed Li Qiang as the country's next premier, replacing outgoing premier Li Keqiang.
Li Qiang, a close ally of President Xi Jinping and former Communist Party chief of Shanghai, will lead the world's second-largest economy amid some of its worst prospects in years, and a challenging economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
China's ceremonial parliament, the National People's Congress, appointed Li Qiang with no dissenting voices.
Li Qiang's Loyalty to China's Covid Policy
Li Qiang, China's No.2 leader, previously overseen Shanghai's Covid response.
The city had tried to contain Covid without a full-scale lockdown.
However, when the virus continued to spread, the central government intervened, and Shanghai's approach of limited restrictions gave way to Xi Jinping's pursuit of zero Covid.
Chinese Communist Party selects members for elite party bodies
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has revealed how members of the elite party bodies were selected.
The CCP leader Xi Jinping had sent inspection teams across the country to scout for suitable candidates who were "able to fight and [are] good at fighting," with no elaboration as to what they are meant to be fighting.
China's Political Agenda Overshadows Economic Priorities
China's National Congress gathering of the ruling elite saw a departure from the focus on the economy as the top priority to political and national security matters.
The delay in data on China's GDP, which is a routine and well-orchestrated exercise, has also caused concern.
While some experts see it as an indication of the influence of politics over institutional technocracy, others see it as a rare occurrence.
Xi Jinping secures third term as China's Communist Party leader
China's President Xi Jinping has been re-elected to a third term as head of the Communist Party, according to state media Xinhua News Agency.
This follows a week-long party congress in Beijing where leadership groups were elected and further solidified Xi's position as the country's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong.
China's second most powerful leader and premier-to-be announced
Two articles discuss China's announcement of the appointment of two politicians to powerful roles within the Communist Party's governing body.
Li Qiang, who led the Covid-19 lockdown in Shanghai this year, has been appointed as the country's next premier, and Li Xi, party chief of Guangdong province, has been put in charge of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, which roots out and punishes corruption within the party.