Li Qiang

Li Qiang (Chinese: 李强; pinyin: Lǐ Qiáng; born July 1959) is a Chinese politician who is the premier of China and the second-ranking member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He joined the CCP in 1983 and began his career in the Communist Youth League in Rui'an. Over the years, he held various important positions, including party secretary of Yongkang and Wenzhou, governor of Zhejiang, and party secretary of Jiangsu.

In 2017, Li became a member of the CCP Politburo and served as the party secretary of Shanghai until 2022. During his time in Shanghai, he focused on policies that support businesses and managed the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, he was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee, and in 2023, he became the premier of China, succeeding Li Keqiang.

As premier, Li has worked on strengthening the role of the premier and managing the economy of China. He has a close working relationship with the current CCP general secretary Xi Jinping, having served together in Zhejiang Province in the mid-2000s. Li is seen as supporting policies that help businesses and economic reforms.

Early life and education

Li Qiang was born in July 1959 in the city of Rui'an in Zhejiang. His father, Li Xiju, came from a poor family and worked as a government clerk. His mother, Ruan Xiulian, sold pork when she was young. Li was raised by his maternal grandmother and other elders. He went to primary and secondary school in Mayu.

After finishing secondary school, Li worked at the Irrigation Pump Station of Mayu from 1976 to 1977 and then at the Third Tool Factory of Rui'an from 1977 to 1978. He later studied agricultural mechanization at the Ningbo Branch of Zhejiang Agricultural University from 1978 to 1982. He also studied sociology by correspondence from 1985 to 1987. Li did graduate studies in management engineering at Zhejiang University from 1995 to 1997 and in world economics at the Central Party School from 2001 to 2004. He earned an executive Master of Business Administration from Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2005.

Early career

Li joined the Chinese Communist Party in April 1983. He started his work at the Rui'an County Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, first as a clerk and then as the secretary of the committee. After that, he took on important jobs in the provincial department of civil affairs, moving up through different roles from 1984 to 1996.

In 1996, Li became a member of the Party Standing Committee of the prefecture-level city of Jinhua and the Party secretary of the city of county-level city of Yongkang. In 2002, at just 43 years old, he became the party secretary of Wenzhou, the youngest person to hold that position. While in Wenzhou, he helped private businesses grow and supported light industry to build an "international light industry city." Later, he worked closely with Xi Jinping, helping to create plans for improving Zhejiang province.

Local tenures

Zhejiang (2012–2016)

After a big meeting in 2012, Li became the leader of Zhejiang province. He asked experts to give honest feedback on his work and made changes to make things easier for people and businesses. He started a project to create special small towns for different kinds of businesses, like technology and chocolate, which became popular across China.

Jiangsu (2016–2017)

In 2016, Li became the leader of Jiangsu province. He visited many places in the province and met with business leaders to encourage more investments.

Shanghai (2017–2022)

In 2017, Li became the leader of Shanghai. He made policies to help businesses and attract foreign investment, including helping a big car company build a factory there. In 2022, Shanghai had a long period of restrictions due to health measures, which affected the economy. Li was known for being open to new ideas about managing health measures.

Premiership (2023–)

See also: Li Qiang Government

After a big meeting in October 2022, Li became an important leader in China’s government. In March 2023, he was chosen to be the leader of China’s government, called the premier. He started this job even though he had not worked in the main government before.

Since becoming premier, Li has worked to help China’s economy grow again. He has met with leaders from many countries and talked about working together. He has also visited many places in China to discuss new ideas for the country’s future.

In 2023, Li met with leaders from Japan, Russia, Germany, France, and Indonesia. He talked about working together and making trade stronger between countries. In 2024, he visited Switzerland, Ireland, New Zealand, and met with leaders from many places around the world. He talked about keeping trade open and fair.

Political views

Li is known for supporting businesses and economic changes that help grow private and service industries. He believes that reducing government control in markets is important. During his time in Wenzhou, he emphasized that a strong private economy is essential for the city's growth.

Li also encourages innovation in technology and artificial intelligence. He has spoken about the need for a government that focuses on its role and allows more responsibilities to be handled by social groups. He has good relationships with business leaders and has advised the government to be less strict with businesses during tough times.

Personal life

Li Qiang's wife, Lin Huan, used to work for the transportation office in Zhejiang before she retired. They have one daughter named Li Ying, who studied in Australia.

Li Qiang is proud of his roots from Wenzhou. He created a meeting called the World Wenzhounese Conference to invite people from around the world who come from Wenzhou to help improve the city. In 2024, he was chosen as one of the 100 most influential people of that year by Time.