Li Keqiang

Li Keqiang (Chinese: 李克强; pinyin: Lǐ Kèqiáng; born 1 July 1955) is a Chinese economist and retired politician who served as the premier of the People's Republic of China from 2013 to 2023. He was also the second-ranked member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from 2012 to 2022. Li was a major part of the "fifth generation of Chinese leadership" along with Xi Jinping, the CCP general secretary.

Quick facts: Li Keqiang, 7th Premier of the People's Repub... ▼

Li Keqiang
李克强
Li in 2018
7th Premier of the People's Republic of China
In office 15 March 2013 – 11 March 2023
Vice Premier	Cabinet I (2013–2018) Zhang Gaoli Liu Yandong Wang Yang Ma Kai Cabinet II (2018–2023) Han Zheng Sun Chunlan Hu Chunhua Liu He
Leader	Xi Jinping
Preceded by	Wen Jiabao
Succeeded by	Li Qiang
First Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China
In office 17 March 2008 – 15 March 2013
Premier	Wen Jiabao
Preceded by	Wu Yi (acting)
Succeeded by	Zhang Gaoli
Communist Party Secretary of Liaoning
In office 13 December 2004 – 29 October 2007
Deputy	Zhang Wenyue (Governor)
Preceded by	Wen Shizhen
Succeeded by	Zhang Wenyue
Communist Party Secretary of Henan
In office 30 December 2002 – 13 December 2004
Deputy	Li Chengyu (Governor)
Preceded by	Chen Kuiyuan
Succeeded by	Xu Guangchun
First Secretary of the Communist Youth League of China
In office 10 May 1993 – 23 June 1998
Preceded by	Song Defu
Succeeded by	Zhou Qiang
Personal details
Born	(1955-07-01) 1 July 1955 (age 68) Hefei, Anhui, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party (since 1974)
Spouse	Cheng Hong ​ (m. 1983)​ [1]
Children	1
Alma mater	Peking University (LLB, MEcon, PhD)
Cabinet	Li Keqiang Government
Awards	Nishan-e-Pakistan
Signature
Li Keqiang's voice Li Keqiang talks about the Cross-Strait relations at a Press Conference Recorded Mar 11, 2022
Central institution membership 2007–2022: 17th, 18th, 19th Politburo Standing Committee 2007–2022: 17th, 18th, 19th Politburo 1997–2022: Full member, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th Central Committee 1993–1998: Delegate, 8th National People's Congress Leading group posts 2020–2022: Leader, leading group on the prevention and control of the novel Coronavirus pandemic 2014–2023: Deputy Leader, Leading Group for Internet Security and Informatization 2013–2023: Deputy Leader, Leading Group for Financial and Economic Affairs 2013–2022: Deputy Leader, Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Deepening Reforms 2013–2023: Leader, Leading Group for Climate Change and Emissions Reduction 2013–2023: Leader, State Council Leading Party Members Group 2008–2013: Leader, Leading Group for Health Care Reform 2008–2013: Leader, Leading Group for Coordinating the South-North Water Transfer Project 2008–2013: Leader, Leading Group for Coordinating the Three Gorges Dam Project Other offices held 2013–: Vice Chairman, National Security Commission 2013–: Chairman, State Commission for Public Sector Reform 2013–: Chairman, National Defense Mobilization Commission 2013–: Chairman, National Energy Commission 2013–: Chairman, Central Institutional Organization Commission 2005–2007: Chairman, Liaoning Provincial People's Congress 2003–2004: Chairman, Henan Provincial People's Congress 1999–2003: Governor of Henan 1998–2003: Director of the Yellow River Flood Response Headquarters 1993–1998: Principal of the Chinese Youth Political Academy 1982–1983: Communist Youth League Secretary, Peking University
Scientific career
Fields	Economics
Thesis	On the ternary structure of Chinese economy (1991)
Doctoral advisor	Li Yining

Quick facts: Li Keqiang, Simplified Chinese, Traditional&n... ▼

Li Keqiang
Li's name in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese	李克强
Traditional Chinese	李克強
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Lǐ Kèqiáng Wade–Giles Li K'o-ch'iang IPA [lì kʰɤ̂.tɕʰjǎŋ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Léih Hāk-kèuhng IPA [lei˩˧ hɐk̚˥.kʰœːŋ˩]

Born in Hefei, Anhui province in 1955, Li initially rose through the ranks of Chinese politics through his involvement in the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), serving as its first secretary from 1993 to 1998. From 1998 to 2004, Li served as the governor of Henan and the province's party secretary. From 2004 to 2007 he served as the Party Secretary of Liaoning, the top political office in the province. From 2008 to 2013, Li served as the first-ranked vice premier[note 1] under then-premier Wen Jiabao, overseeing a broad portfolio which included economic development, price controls, finance, climate change, and macroeconomic management.

Initially seen as a candidate for becoming the paramount leader, Li instead assumed the post of premier in 2013, and has facilitated the Chinese government's shifting of priorities from export-led growth to a greater focus on internal consumption. During his term Li headed the State Council and was one of the leading figures behind China's Financial and Economic Affairs, Foreign Affairs, National Security and Deepening Reforms. Additionally, Li and his cabinet initiated the Made in China 2025 strategic plan in May 2015. He was succeeded as premier by Li Qiang in March 2023.

Given his Youth League experience, Li has generally been considered a political ally of former leader Hu Jintao and a member of the Tuanpai faction. Economically seen as advocating reform and liberalization, Li has been described as representing the more pragmatic and technocratic side of China's leadership. There has been speculation that Li may have been sidelined by Xi Jinping for reasons of power consolidation.