China Mourns Loss of Prominent Communist Party Member Li Keqiang; Controversy Erupts on Social Media Following Announcement
On October 27th, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference issued a joint statement mourning the loss of Li Keqiang, an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China.
27 October 2023
Li Keqiang was not only a loyal revolutionary comrade who had undergone long-term tests but also an outstanding Marxist ideologist and statesman, as well as a devoted proletarian revolutionary and statesman. His passing has been met with an outpouring of grief from the Chinese public, many of whom took to social media platform Weibo to express their condolences and reflect on Li's life and legacy.
Li Keqiang's contributions to the Communist Party of China and to the country as a whole were widely recognized by netizens on Weibo. Some users praised his dedication to the revolution, calling him a "devoted proletarian revolutionary" who had undergone long-standing tests. Others highlighted his work as an outstanding Marxist ideologist and statesman, noting his contributions to shaping China's political landscape and promoting socialism with Chinese characteristics.
However, the announcement of Li Keqiang's passing also sparked a wave of controversy. Some netizens expressed anger at the government's handling of his death, accusing them of hiding his passing until now. A Weibo user named "Beijing Citizen" wrote, "Why did it take so long for the government to announce this? Something smells fishy." Other users speculated about the cause of Li's death, with one user remarking, "We should investigate his death thoroughly before celebrating him."
Despite these inflammatory comments, the majority of Weibo netizens expressed genuine sadness and offered their respects to the late comrade. Many shared personal memories of Li Keqiang's accomplishments and recognized his contribution as a loyal revolutionary fighter who had withstood thorough tests. The news was widely covered by various media outlets, including CNN News' Weibo video, CCTV News' Weibo video, and News Channel's Weibo video.
In conclusion, the passing of Li Keqiang has prompted a wave of reactions from Weibo netizens, ranging from grief and sadness to suspicion and anger. However, his legacy as an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China and a loyal revolutionary comrade-in-arms will continue to be celebrated by many in Chinese society, regardless of controversies surrounding his death.