Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, has died at 68

By The Associated Press on October 26, 2023.

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FILE - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang delivers his state of the nation address during the opening session of China's National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 5, 2023. Chinese state media say former Premier Li Keqiang, Chinaâ€™s top economic official for a decade, has died. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

BEIJING (AP) – Former Premier Li Keqiang, China’s top economic official for a decade, died Friday of a heart attack in Shanghai, state media CCTV reported. He was 68.

Li was China’s No. 2 leader in 2013-23 and an advocate for private business but was left with little authority after President Xi Jinping made himself the most powerful Chinese leader in decades and tightened control over the economy and society.

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