Li Qiang, a close ally of Chinese President Xi Jinping, was confirmed as premier on Saturday, underscoring Xi’s continued influence over the nation’s top leadership. The 63‑year‑old former Shanghai party chief, who managed the city’s grueling two‑month lockdown last spring, succeeded outgoing premier Li Keqiang during a session of the country’s rubber‑stamp parliament.
At the National People’s Congress, Li received nearly unanimous support from more than 2,900 delegates, a day after Xi was unanimously re‑elected by deputies for an unprecedented third term as president. Xi’s motion nominating Li as premier was read to the chamber on Saturday morning.
Although Li’s handling of the Shanghai lockdown—where residents struggled to obtain food and medical care—had previously cast doubt on his prospects, his appointment proceeded despite widespread protests last winter against Xi’s zero‑COVID policy. The decision reflects Xi’s firm grip on Chinese politics.
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