Former premier Li Keqiang last night of a sudden heart attack at the age of 68, state media have reported this morning.
Li passed away 10 minutes past midnight today in Shanghai despite "all-out efforts" to revive him, state media reports said.
He became China’s number-two leader in 2013 and served for a decade, until he was succeeded by Li Qiang in March.
Li Keqiang was a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the 17th, 18th and 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committees.
Born in Anhui province, Li rose through the CPC Youth League and became the youngest governor of Henan province in 1998 at the age of 43.
Li – who studied law at Peking University and had a doctorate in economics – was also known for his English proficiency.
During his time in the role as premier, Li helped steer the world’s second-largest economy through the global financial crisis, rising technology and trade tensions with the United States, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Li delivered his last government work report as premier at the opening of the annual plenary meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing in March that marked the end of his two five-year terms.
“No matter how the international winds and clouds change, China will unswervingly expand its opening up,” Li said at his last public appearance in a press conference in March.
“The Yangtze River and the Yellow River will not flow backwards.”
Li paid several working visits to Hong Kong and Macau in various capacities.
- RTHK, MPD
