China Mourns the Passing of Premier Li Keqiang - A Visionary Leader and Tireless Advocate for China's Rural Populations
In a piece of tragic news that has swept across China, Premier Li Keqiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the 17th, 18th, and 19th Political Bureaus of the Communist Party of China (CPC), passed away on October 27, 2023, at the age of 68. Li had been a prominent figure in Chinese politics, having served as Premier of the State Council and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau for three terms.
27 October 2023
The announcement of his demise came as a shock to many, especially on social media platforms like Weibo where netizens expressed their grief and shared heartfelt condolences. Li Keqiang was remembered by many for his dedication towards the betterment of China and its people, particularly in rural areas.
On October 26, 2023, Li Keqiang had been in severe emergency treatment due to sudden heart disease. Despite all-out efforts from medical professionals, unfortunately, he could not be saved. The news of his passing was announced officially at 0:10 pm on the following day, October 27.
Weibo netizens were quick to respond to the news, expressing their shock and sadness over Li Keqiang's untimely demise. Some users shared stories from the politician's fieldwork in northwest rural areas, praising his dedication towards serving the people. In one Weibo video, Li Keqiang shares a touching story about meeting an elderly man who had been living in a cave for 10 years, highlighting the hardships faced by some of China's rural population.
Others paid tribute to Li Keqiang's leadership and contributions to Sino-Japanese relations during his tenure. He was known for playing an important role in these relations, and his passing has left a void that will be hard to fill.
However, not all reactions were positive. Some Weibo users made inflammatory remarks towards Li Keqiang's time in office, criticizing him for various reasons such as corruption or mishandling of certain matters during his tenure. Despite these negative comments, the overwh