Sidelined Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passes Away At 68, Months After 'Forced' Retirement By Xi Jinping

Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, who was once considered a reform-minded contender for the country's top leadership role, has died of a sudden heart attack in Shanghai at the age of 68, as reported by CNN.

Li served as China's premier, primarily in charge of the economy, for a decade, from 2013 to March of this year, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping.

During his tenure, he navigated the nation's economy through challenging times marked by rising technology and trade tensions with the United States, mounting government debt, unemployment, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

In his final year in power, Li had been vocal about the challenges facing China's economy, especially in the midst of widespread Covid-19 lockdowns, and had backed efforts to boost employment and maintain economic stability.

An educated technocrat with degrees in law and economics, Li was seen as friendly to the private sector. He was perceived to have a differing economic policy stance from President Xi, who emphasized tighter party control over the economy.

Li is widely viewed as a protege of Xi's predecessor, Hu Jintao, and both leaders shared economic sensibilities. They rose through the ranks of the Communist Party's Youth League, known for producing reform-minded leaders.

The relationship between Li and Hu was in the spotlight last year when Hu was led out of the closing ceremony of the October 2022 Communist Party Congress, where Xi further consolidated power.

Li was not named to the party's Central Committee during that leadership reshuffle, signaling the end of his time in China's top leadership circles.

Li Qiang, a loyalist of President Xi, succeeded Li Keqiang as premier earlier this year.