Li Qiang facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Li Qiang
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| 李强 | |
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Li in 2024
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| 8th Premier of China | |
| Assumed office 11 March 2023 |
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| President | Xi Jinping |
| Vice Premier |
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| Preceded by | Li Keqiang |
| 18th Communist Party Secretary of Shanghai | |
| In office 29 October 2017 – 28 October 2022 |
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| Mayor |
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| Preceded by | Han Zheng |
| Succeeded by | Chen Jining |
| 13th Communist Party Secretary of Jiangsu | |
| In office 30 June 2016 – 29 October 2017 |
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| Governor |
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| Preceded by | Luo Zhijun |
| Succeeded by | Lou Qinjian |
| 17th Governor of Zhejiang | |
| In office 30 January 2013 – 4 July 2016 Acting: 21 December 2012 – 30 January 2013 |
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| Party Secretary | Xia Baolong |
| Preceded by | Xia Baolong |
| Succeeded by | Che Jun |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1959 (age 65) Rui'an, Zhejiang, China |
| Political party | CCP |
| Alma mater |
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| Signature | .svg) |
Li Qiang (born July 1959) is a Chinese politician. He is the eighth and current premier of China since March 2023. The Premier is the head of government in China.
In October 2022, Li Qiang became the second most important member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. This group includes the top leaders of China. From 2017 to 2022, Li was the top leader, or party secretary, for Shanghai. In this role, he supported businesses and managed the city's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many people see Li Qiang as a supporter of business and economic changes. He is also considered a close ally of Xi Jinping, China's top leader. Their strong relationship began in the mid-2000s when they both worked in Zhejiang Province.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Li Qiang was born in Rui'an, Zhejiang in July 1959. He worked in factories and at an irrigation station in his early years (1976-1978).
He studied agricultural mechanization at Zhejiang Agricultural University from 1978 to 1982. He also studied sociology through a correspondence course from 1985 to 1987. Later, he continued his studies in management engineering at Zhejiang University (1995-1997). He also earned a master's degree in world economics from the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party (2001-2004). In 2005, he received an executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Early Career in Government
Li Qiang joined the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in April 1983. He started his career in the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) in Rui'an County. He then moved to various senior roles in the civil affairs department of Zhejiang Province from 1984 to 1996.
In 1996, he became a leader in the city of Jinhua and the party secretary of Yongkang. In 2000, he became the director of the Zhejiang Provincial Government's Bureau of Administration for Industry and Commerce.
In 2002, at age 43, he became the youngest party secretary of Wenzhou. During his time there, he supported private businesses and light industry. In 2004, he became the secretary-general of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. He worked closely with Xi Jinping, who was then the party secretary of Zhejiang. This period helped build their strong alliance.
Li Qiang believed that local governments needed independent experts to evaluate their work. In 2009, he helped set up a non-governmental group of experts. He became its honorary director.
Key Leadership Roles
Leading Zhejiang Province (2012–2016)
In December 2012, Li Qiang became the acting governor of Zhejiang. He was officially elected governor in January 2013. As governor, he continued to seek honest feedback from experts about his performance. He also worked to simplify government processes in Zhejiang.
In 2014, Li suggested creating a special zone for Western internet companies in Zhejiang. This idea was not approved by the central government. He also started a project to create "characteristic towns." These were small towns focused on one type of business, like "Dream Town" for tech companies. This idea was later supported by Xi Jinping and spread across China.
Leading Jiangsu Province (2016–2017)
On June 30, 2016, Li Qiang became the party secretary of Jiangsu province. He served for 15 months, which was the shortest time for a Jiangsu party secretary in history. During his time, he met with business leaders like Jack Ma of Alibaba Group to encourage investments.
Leading Shanghai City (2017–2022)
In October 2017, Li Qiang was appointed as the party secretary of Shanghai. He also became a member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party. He is known for being "business-friendly." He introduced policies to help businesses, like opening the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market. He also helped bring more foreign investment to the city, including the Tesla gigafactory.
In early 2022, Shanghai faced a two-month COVID-19 lockdown. This lockdown greatly affected the economy. Some people blamed Li for how it was handled. However, it is believed that he was under pressure from the central government to implement the lockdown. He also reportedly supported using Western mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 in China.
Becoming Premier (2023–)
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In October 2022, Li Qiang was appointed to the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. This made him the second-highest-ranking member. This position set him on the path to become the Premier. On March 11, 2023, he officially became the Premier of China. He took over from Li Keqiang. Li Qiang is the first person since Zhou Enlai to become Premier directly from a local government role. He did not have prior experience in the central government.
In 2024, Time magazine named Li Qiang one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Domestic Policies
As Premier, Li Qiang has worked to support private businesses. He wants to rebuild their confidence after the COVID-19 restrictions. He also reportedly encouraged Alibaba founder Jack Ma to return to China.
In March 2023, he stated that China would continue to "unswervingly stick to opening up" its economy. He met with many foreign business leaders, including Tim Cook from Apple Inc..
In July 2023, China reduced its strict rules on the technology sector. Li Qiang met with major tech companies to show strong support for the industry. In August 2023, he called for more efforts to reach China's yearly economic growth goals. In November 2023, he was appointed head of the new Central Financial Commission. This group oversees China's financial system. In January 2024, he called for strong actions to stabilize the Chinese stock market.
He has visited various provinces to promote technological independence and investment in research. He has also warned local governments not to unfairly fine private businesses. In December 2024, he promised to increase access for foreign-invested companies.
International Relations
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In April 2023, Li Qiang met with Japan's foreign minister to improve relations. In May, he met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. He spoke about the strong partnership between China and Russia.
In June 2023, Li Qiang made his first overseas trip as Premier. He visited Germany and France. He met with leaders and business CEOs in both countries. He also spoke at the World Economic Forum in Tianjin, China.
In September 2023, he visited Indonesia and met with ASEAN leaders. He also attended the G20 New Delhi summit in India. There, he met with leaders from Italy, the European Commission, the US, and the UK.
In January 2024, Li Qiang visited Switzerland and Ireland. He also attended the World Economic Forum in Davos. In May, he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Beijing. He also attended a summit with South Korea and Japan in Seoul. In June 2024, he visited New Zealand to sign trade and climate change agreements.
Political Views
Economy and Business
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Li Qiang is known for supporting businesses and economic changes. He believes in reducing government interference in the market. In 2003, he said that without private businesses, Wenzhou's development would be set back by a century. He has also said that China needs more successful companies like Alibaba.
In 2015, Li stated that economic reforms were very important. He believes that the government should not have unlimited power. He also thinks that more management power should be given to social organizations. Li Qiang has close ties with Jack Ma. He has also supported new ideas in information technology and artificial intelligence.
Personal Life
Li Qiang often talks about his connection to Wenzhou, his hometown. He helped set up the World Wenzhounese Conference. This conference encourages people from Wenzhou living around the world to invest in their hometown. In 2013, he said that the "Wenzhounese spirit" of daring to be first has always inspired him.
Li Qiang's wife, Lin Huan, is a retired civil servant. They have one daughter, Li Ying, who studied in Australia.
Images for kids
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Li Qiang's signature
See Also
In Spanish: Li Qiang para niños
