China Mourns the Passing of Former Premier Li Keqiang: Leaders and Netizens Remember His Contributions and Legacy
On October 27th, the Xinhua News Agency announced the passing away of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing. The news was met with great sorrow from various institutions and individuals around the world, including the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China, the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and the National Committee for the United Front Work of the People's Republic of China.
27 October 2023
The announcements by these institutions expressed their deepest condolences on the passing of a prominent member of the Communist Party of China, an unwavering communist fighter who had endured many tests. The statements described Li Keqiang as a loyal soldier and a talented member of the Communist Party, who made significant contributions to the people's revolution in China.
The news was also acknowledged by foreign leaders. In a press release on October 27th, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, expressed deep condolences to Chinese President Xi Jinping for the passing of former Premier Li Keqiang. This was followed by similar messages from other UAE leaders, including Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Dr. Sheikh Maneuor bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Supreme Commander and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
On Weibo, a Chinese social media platform, netizens expressed their grief over the loss of Li Keqiang. Many users shared articles about his life, praising his dedication to the Communist Party of China and his significant contributions to China's development during his tenure as Premier. Some netizens also remembered his role in formulating the 13th Five-Year Plan and leading the country through its fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
However, there were also some users who expressed inflammatory remarks on Weibo. These comments were not common, but they highlighted a small section of netizens who criticized Li Keqiang's policies during his time as Premier, particularly those related to China's economy and its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some users argued that his policies had led to economic difficulties for many Chinese citizens and were critical of his response to the pandemic.
Despite these criticisms, the majority of netizens remembered Li Keqiang as a dedicated communist fighter who contributed significantly to China's progress during his time in office. His death was met with widespread sadness across Chinese society, and he will be remembered for his unwavering loyalty to the Communist Party of China and its ideals.