Wen Jiabao facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wen Jiabao
温家宝
Wen in 2012
Premier of China
In office 16 March 2003 – 14 March 2013
President	Hu Jintao
Vice Premier	Cabinet I (2003–08) Huang Ju Wu Yi Zeng Peiyan Hui Liangyu Cabinet II (2008–13) Li Keqiang Hui Liangyu Zhang Dejiang Wang Qishan
Preceded by	Zhu Rongji
Succeeded by	Li Keqiang
Vice Premier of China
In office 18 March 1998 – 14 March 2003 Serving with Li Lanqing, Qian Qichen, Wu Bangguo
Premier	Zhu Rongji
Preceded by	Li Lanqing
Succeeded by	Hui Liangyu
Director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party
In office April 1986 – March 1993
General Secretary	Hu Yaobang Zhao Ziyang Jiang Zemin
Preceded by	Wang Zhaoguo
Succeeded by	Zeng Qinghong
Personal details
Born	(1942-09-15) 15 September 1942 (age 82) Tiensin, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party (1965–Present)
Spouse	Zhang Peili
Children	2
Alma mater	China University of Geosciences (BS, MS)
Signature
Chinese name
Simplified Chinese	温家宝
Traditional Chinese	溫家寶
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Wēn Jiābǎo Wade–Giles Wen1 Chia1-pao3 IPA [u̯ə́n tɕi̯á.pàu̯] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Wān Gāa-bóu IPA [wɐ́n káː.pǒu] Jyutping Wan1 Gaa1-bou2 Southern Min Hokkien POJ Un Ka-pó

Wen Jiabao (Chinese: 温家宝; pinyin: Wēn Jiābǎo; born 15 September 1942) is a Chinese retired politician. He served as the 6th premier of China from 2003 to 2013. As the head of government, Wen was a key leader in China's economic plans. From 2002 to 2012, he was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party. This group is China's most powerful decision-making body. He was ranked third among its nine members.

Before becoming Premier, Wen worked as the director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party from 1986 to 1993. He was also a personal secretary to Party general secretary Zhao Ziyang. In 1998, Wen became Vice Premier under Premier Zhu Rongji. In this role, he managed important areas like farming and money.

People often called Wen "the people's premier." He focused on helping farmers and migrant workers, not just big cities. His government lowered farm taxes and started big building projects. After the 2008 global money crisis, his government put a lot of money into the economy to help it grow. Wen left office in 2013, and Li Keqiang took over as Premier.

Early Life and Education

Wen at the China University of Geosciences in 1960.

Wen Jiabao was born in Beichen district of the City of Tianjin. He went to Tianjin Nankai High School, the same school as China's first premier, Zhou Enlai.

He studied at the Beijing Institute of Geology (now the China University of Geosciences) from 1960 to 1965. His main subject was geological surveying and prospecting. He continued his studies in geological structure from 1965 to 1968. Wen joined the Chinese Communist Party in April 1965 while he was still a college student.

Early Career in Government

After finishing his studies, Wen started working in the geology office of Gansu province in 1968. For ten years, he led the Geomechanics Survey Team there. He also became the head of its political section. Wen moved up in his career, becoming the chief of the Gansu Provincial Geological Bureau. Later, he became the Vice-minister of Geology and Mineral Resources.

Wen was noticed by the CCP general secretary Hu Yaobang. He then joined the Central Committee and Politburo, which are important groups in the Party. He later became the Chief of the Party's General Affairs Office in Beijing, managing the daily work of Party leaders for eight years.

Wen was known as a careful and skilled administrator. He focused on getting real results. From 1998, he oversaw farming, money, and environmental policies as Vice-Premier. This was important as China prepared to join the World Trade Organization.

Surviving Political Changes

A key moment in Wen's career was when he visited students protesting in Tiananmen Square in 1989 with Zhao Ziyang. Zhao was later removed from his position, but Wen was able to continue his political career. Wen Jiabao is the only Chief of the Party's General Affairs Office to have worked under three General Secretaries: Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang, and Jiang Zemin.

First Term as Premier (2003-2008)

Wen joined the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party in November 2002. This is China's highest ruling group. He was ranked third out of nine members. In March 2003, the National People's Congress confirmed him as Premier. Over 99% of the delegates voted for him.

As Premier, Wen continued economic reforms. He focused on making wealth more equal and improving public health and education. He worked to help rural areas that had not benefited as much from economic growth. His government also started to focus on the costs of development, like harm to the environment and workers' health. This idea of balanced development was called a xiaokang society.

In November 2003, Wen's government introduced the "Five Comprehensive Coordinations." These were goals for balanced development:

• Reducing differences between cities and rural areas.
• Balancing growth between different regions.
• Improving social and economic balance.
• Harmonizing human activities with the environment.
• Balancing domestic and international issues.

China's economy grew very fast during Wen's first term, with an average growth rate of 11% each year.

Wen was seen as a "man of the people." He tried to connect with those who felt left behind by China's fast economic growth. He and Hu Jintao focused on the "Three Rural Issues": farming, the countryside, and farmers. In 2005, the Hu-Wen administration removed the old agricultural tax. This was a big change for the rural economy.

Wen was also involved in public health issues. In 2003, he helped end the government's slow response to the SARS crisis. In 2004, he became the first top Chinese official to publicly talk about the problem of AIDS. He visited communities affected by AIDS, and these visits were shown on national TV. This showed an effort to change past policies of ignoring the issue.

Wen was known for visiting poor areas of China's countryside without much warning. This helped him see the real situation, not just what officials wanted him to see. He was also known for speaking to the public and foreign media, even on sensitive topics like Taiwan Independence and human rights.

In December 2003, Wen visited the United States. He also visited Canada, Australia, and Japan, focusing on economic ties. In April 2007, his visit to Japan was called a "de-thawing journey," aiming to improve relations.

In March 2004, Wen introduced "The Rise of the Central Regions" campaign. This plan aimed to help central provinces like Hubei and Henan grow by moving industries from coastal areas.

On 15 March 2005, after the anti-secession law was passed, Wen stated, "We don't wish for foreign intervention, but we are not afraid of it." This comment, related to Taiwan, received strong applause. In 2007, Wen announced plans to increase China's military budget.

After the 2007 National People's Congress, Wen described the economy as having "Four Uns": unstable, unbalanced, uncoordinated, and unsustainable. He worried about too much resource use and growing income differences.

Second Term as Premier (2008-2013)

Wen visiting Tsinghua University in May 2009.

Wen Jiabao began his second five-year term as premier on 16 March 2008. He worked to control rising prices and prepare China for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He faced big economic challenges due to the U.S. economic crisis. Keeping social peace in China's regions was also a main goal.

In March 2008, Wen spoke about the violence in Tibet. He said Chinese security forces acted carefully. He stated that the government would not talk with the Dalai Lama's supporters unless they stopped "separatist activities."

In November 2010, Wen opened the 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony in Guangzhou. He was the first non-head of state to do so. In his final speech as Premier, Wen warned about the growing gap between rich and poor in China. He also spoke about the dangers of environmental degradation and unbalanced economic growth.

Online Interaction and Foreign Policy

Before the 2009 National People's Congress, Wen Jiabao went online for a video chat to answer questions from Chinese citizens. He talked about government openness and global financial issues. At the Congress, he promised that China's economic growth would not drop below 8% in 2009. He also expressed concern about China's investments in U.S. treasury debt.

Wen at the 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos.

Wen Jiabao became more active in China's foreign policy as the country's economic power grew. He visited North Korea in October 2009, the first Chinese Premier to do so since 1991. He was met by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il, which showed strong ties between the two countries.

Wen with US President Barack Obama in 2010.

Wen also met with European Union leaders in November 2009. He refused calls for China to change the value of its currency. He attended the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference, where he met with U.S. President Barack Obama.

Wen with UK Prime Minister David Cameron in 2011.

Retirement

After the 18th Party Congress in November 2012, Wen left the Politburo Standing Committee. In March 2013, he retired from politics. Li Keqiang then became the new Premier of China.

Political Views and Legacy

Many people saw Wen as a "populist" leader who understood the needs of ordinary people. He often spoke about the idea of "societal harmony," which was a key goal of his administration.

Wen also talked about the need for democracy and more freedoms in China. He said that China's democratic system needed to improve so that power "truly belongs to the people." He believed in building a fair legal system and allowing the government to accept criticism.

In August 2010, Wen stated, "Without political reform, China may lose what it has already achieved through economic restructuring." His comments were sometimes censored in state media. However, he gained support from some Party elders who spoke out against the censorship.

At the 2012 National People's Congress, Wen used the word "reform" 70 times. He stressed that China must continue both economic and political reforms. He also seemed to support a review of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

Personal Life

Wen Jiabao is married to Zhang Peili. She is an expert in jewelry and was involved in China's diamond trade. They have a son, Wen Yunsong, and a daughter, Wen Ruchun.

Wen is known for using Chinese poetry in his speeches and when talking to journalists.

See also

• Politics of China
• History of the People's Republic of China (2002–present)
• Hu–Wen Administration

Images for kids

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  Wen Jiabao's signature.