Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passes Away At The Age Of 68
Date: 27th October, 2023
THE SOIL – Friday marked the death of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang due to a heart-related illness, just seven months after he stepped down from office following ten years in which his standing as a reform-minded leader had declined. His age was 68 years.
Li was once regarded as a strong contender for the Communist Party leadership, but as a result of President Xi Jinping’s policies, he has recently been marginalised. Consolidating his power, Xi guided the second-biggest economy in the world towards greater government control.
One well-known economist supported supply-side modifications in a strategy known as “Likonomics,” which sadly remained mostly unexecuted, in order to create a less controlled market economy.
Li Keqiang Experienced A Sudden Heart Attack
Ultimately, he capitulated to Xi’s need for more state power, and his former area of influence progressively receded as Xi installed his own supporters in important positions.
“Comrade Li Keqiang, while resting in Shanghai in recent days, experienced a sudden heart attack on Oct. 26 and after all-out efforts to revive him failed, died in Shanghai at ten minutes past midnight on Oct. 27,” state broadcaster CCTV reported.
The "Like" Button on Weibo Was Canged to Chrysanthemum-Shaped Sign of "Mourning"
Some official websites adopted a sombre black-and-white theme in response to a wave of sorrow and surprise that swept through Chinese social networks. The “like” button on the microblogging site Weibo was changed to a chrysanthemum-shaped sign of “mourning.”
Li, accompanied by Xi, commanded China’s cabinet and held the position of premier for ten years before stepping down from all political positions in March.