China’s Li Qiang makes speech for the State Council, hinting at premier’s job ahead

In first public appearance representing the country’s cabinet, Li says China’s leadership is working to create a favourable business environment

Li may already be carrying out premier duties, says professor, even though the post will not be made official until annual legislative session in March

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Li Qiang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends the opening of the 17th national congress of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 9:25pm, 12 Dec 2022Updated: 3:19am, 14 Mar 2023

In the clearest sign so far of a future role as premier, Li Qiang, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s right-hand man, has made his first public appearance representing the State Council, pledging support for the country’s private sector at a meeting on Sunday.

According to an official announcement in Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily on Monday, Li attended the opening ceremony of the 13th national congress of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce and delivered a speech “on behalf of the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council”.

It is the first public announcement so far of Li representing the State Council, despite the statement describing Li’s official capacity only as “member of the Politburo Standing Committee”.

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In his last public event at the opening of the 17th national congress of the Chinese Peasants and Workers Democratic Party last Wednesday, Li spoke on behalf of the Communist Party Central Committee only, according to an official statement.

The State Council’s website does not have an entry for Li Qiang, and still shows Premier Li Keqiang, alongside vice-premiers and state councillors, as the body’s leaders.

Li Qiang, 63, a member of the Politburo Standing Committee, is an obvious choice to be anointed China’s next premier at the annual legislative session in March.

During the 20th party congress in October, Li Qiang followed Xi onto the stage at the Great Hall of the People as the second-ranking Politburo Standing Committee member.