Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, has passed away at the age of 68 due to a heart attack, AP News reports.
Li was once considered a possible successor to Communist Party leader Hu Jintao in 2013 but was passed over in favor of Xi Jinping. He was China’s No. 2 leader from 2013 to 2023 but saw his authority diminish as Xi consolidated power over the Chinese economy and society.
Li had been known for advocating for private entrepreneurs, market-oriented reforms, and growth based on domestic consumption and service industries, but was left with limited influence as Xi centralized power.
Li was eventually removed from the party’s ruling committee in October 2022 and left office in March 2023, as Xi awarded himself a third term as party leader.
