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Li Keqiang appointed as Chinese premier
李克强出任国务院总理
The National People’s Congress has appointed Li Keqiang as the country’s premier. Known as a "reformer", Li will lead the government in ensuring the country’s progress over the next years.
With China now as the world’s second largest economy, Li takes over at a crucial stage in its transition. His appointment was greeted with enthusiasm by fellow lawmakers.
Li Keqiang’s reputation for toughness as well as his outgoing personality has made him a popular figure in China’s political arena.
Calling reform "China’s biggest dividend", Li Keqiang has frequently suggested ways of working differently since being re-elected to the Standing Committee of the CPC politbureau.
He says reform is like rowing upstream, if you miss a stroke, you may fall behind.
He is keenly aware of the urgent need to restructure China’s economy, highlighting the issue as long ago as the annual Davos world economic forum in 2010.
Li Keqiang said, “We should be acutely aware that in the post-financial crisis time, we should readjust the economic growth model, and we should not sacrifice our environment and sustainable development for economic growth.”
China’s new reforms have already begun, with cuts in lavish outlay at meetings.
Li has also told officials to stop reading from prepared speeches, encouraging them to speak freely and ask incisive questions to get to the root of issues that matter.
He also makes sure he gets to meet people face to face to find out what really matters to them.
He stresses that only reform can improve people’s living standards and that future changes must ensure equal rights and opportunities for everyone, and that the law is upheld.
To many lawmakers, the new premier is innovative and determined.
Hong Changyou, NPC deputy, said, “I’m very much looking forward to a pragmatic and determined new premier, leading us to deeper reforms in all affairs.”
Xu Xi, NPC deputy, said, “I think the new premier and his administration will continue with economic restructuring.”
Huang Xiuling, NPC deputy, said, “I hope the new government will focus more on people’s livelihoods, such as the implementation of universal medical insurance.”
On many occasions, President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have encouraged ordinary people to speak their true minds and tell their real life stories. They are resolved to seek advice and comments on governance from the people. For ordinary people, they want a clean government that is more self-disciplined and responsible, and more efficient in social administration. With the determination of the new leaders, the two sessions will create more positive energy for further reforms.
