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China’s Communist Party to get deeper control over State Council led by Premier Li Qiang as ties are ‘redefined’
- Amendment to Organic Law of the State Council is expected to pass on Monday, the last day of the National People’s Congress
- Move shows role of cabinet as Xi’s ‘loyal policy implementer’ is being endorsed by the highest legislative body, researcher says
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China’s legislature is set to approve a bill to impose further and stronger Communist Party control on the State Council, the country’s cabinet.
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The amendment to the Organic Law of the State Council is expected to pass on Monday, the last day of the National People’s Congress (NPC) – China’s annual parliamentary meetings.
It includes specific clauses saying the council will closely follow the Communist Party’s ideology, leadership and instructions, further defining its role as faithful policy implementer of the ruling party.
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The bill comes at a time when Premier Li Qiang – who was sworn in as the customary head of the State Council at the NPC last March – appears to be scaling back his office’s role in diplomacy and public discourse as the party focuses on loyalty to President Xi Jinping.
Li, China’s No 2 official, will also not be meeting reporters at the close of this year’s NPC, after the premier’s annual press conference was scrapped – ending a tradition dating back at least three decades.
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