On July 3, it was the death anniversary of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, and exiled former Inner Mongolian official Du Wen analyzed the conflicts between Li Keqiang and the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. It is reported that due to differences in governance philosophy with Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang once proposed resignation during his tenure citing health reasons, which was rejected, and he also claimed illness and passivity for a period of time.
October 27, 2023, Li Keqiang passed away in Shanghai after stepping down as premier for 7 months, with the official cause stated as “sudden heart attack”, causing shock and rumors in the public.
Rumors about the discord between “Xi and Li” have circulated for many years. In particular, Li Keqiang’s disclosure during the 2020 two sessions press conference about the reality that 600 million Chinese people have a monthly income of less than 1,000 yuan, made Xi Jinping’s later announcement of China’s complete poverty alleviation lack credibility. This has often been used to corroborate the differences between the two leaders.
On July 4, former Inner Mongolian official Du Wen analyzed on his YouTube channel “Insider’s View of China” that the conflicts between Li Keqiang and Xi Jinping were deep-rooted, with fundamentally different directions. Li’s governance philosophy focused on deepening market economy reforms and streamlining bureaucratic procedures. While Xi continuously strengthened centralization of power, leaving those below confused as their directions were completely opposite.
Du Wen pointed out that Xi has always been more inclined toward a welfare society, focusing on poverty alleviation in rural areas, while Li vigorously promoted urban shantytown renovations. Xi aims for centralized dictatorship, turning left towards orthodox communism. On the other hand, Li seeks to streamline bureaucracy, turning right towards market-oriented economic reforms and opening up.
Describing Xi as turning on the right signal while steering left, shouting “reform and opening up, market economy”, and Li as turning on the left signal while steering right, shouting “two safeguards, four consciousness”, and engaging in a mutual flattery strategy.
He mentioned that Li Keqiang knew what he was doing, and Xi also understood Li’s intentions, thus Xi established various small groups and committees to effectively sideline the State Council. Li Keqiang’s influence and speaking power in domestic and foreign affairs gradually diminished. Du Wen commented that “Li Keqiang turned into a sidelined figure”, and later, he did not retain his position as a member of the Politburo Standing Committee at the 20th Congress, becoming marginalized.
Du Wen disclosed that Li Keqiang deeply felt guilty and self-reproached for the continuous economic downturn, leading to him once considering resigning due to health reasons. However, Xi saw this as throwing a tantrum and deemed early resignation detrimental to political stability, thus rejecting it. Eventually, Li also claimed illness and passivity for a certain period.
It was believed both domestically and internationally that “Xi stepping down and Li stepping up” was circulated widely, with the atmosphere in Zhongnanhai said to be eerie and tense, heightening the rumors that may have contributed to Li Keqiang’s death.
Du Wen stated that at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China, a group led by Li Keqiang withdrew from the political stage, similar to being cast aside like discarded persons.
Public opinion holds that Li Keqiang’s death is directly or indirectly related to internal struggles within the Communist Party. Regarding the specific cause of Li Keqiang’s death, Du Wen suggested that if there was premeditation involved, it would be the highest state secret of the Communist Party, and the real reason can only be revealed when the Communist Party is declassified or collapses.
On the morning of March 5, 2023, Li Keqiang gave his final premier’s report at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, which only lasted for an hour. A figure once expected to lead reforms officially exited the political stage.
On that day, when Xi Jinping left, he briefly shook hands with Li Keqiang. A video snippet captured by “Eastern News” showed that as the meeting dispersed, Xi and Li Keqiang shook hands for only a second or two, after which Xi turned and left.
French Sorbonne University professor Zhang Lun once said that Li Keqiang’s death signifies “a complete farewell to the era of China’s reform and opening up, an era coming to a definitive end”.