Li Keqiang

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Lore & Background

Li Keqiang suffered a sudden heart attack while swimming at the Shanghai Dongjiao Hotel on 26 October 2023, accompanied by his wife Cheng Hong. The heart attack occurred around noon, and he was rushed to Shanghai Shuguang Hospital (East Campus) where an ECMO device was installed that afternoon. Despite emergency rescue efforts lasting over 10 hours, medical teams were unable to save him, and he died at 12:10 a.m. the next day. According to a 2010 biography, Li suffered from severe myocarditis during his time at Peking University due to overexertion, and frequently experienced shortness of breath during physically strenuous activities. Reports also indicated he had diabetes, and the South China Morning Post reported he had previously had heart bypass surgery. After his death was announced on 27 October by China Central Television's 'Morning News' program, official media outlets published identical statements. Xinhua News issued a formal condolence statement on behalf of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the State Council, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. His remains were transferred to Beijing that afternoon aboard a special flight, with some roads temporarily closed in Shanghai and people along the route mourning. On 2 November, national flags were flown at half-mast at Tiananmen Square, Xinhua Gate, the Great Hall of the People, and other locations. A farewell ceremony was held at Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, attended by General Secretary Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, along with members of the CCP Politburo Standing Committee. Li's remains were cremated that morning.

Reader's Guide

Li Keqiang's death prompted spontaneous gatherings of mourners at his former residence in Luyang District, Hefei, Anhui Province, and at 80 Huizhou Avenue, with queues stretching over 200 meters on the morning of 28 October. Spontaneous mourning also occurred at his ancestral home in Jiuzi Village, Wuxu Town, Dingyuan County, Anhui Province, and at Qianxi Square in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. However, local governments kept such locations under close surveillance, and many tributed items, especially those with written messages, were swiftly confiscated and cleared by unidentified individuals wearing blue vests. The Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission Office began scrutinizing comments on various online platforms and censoring certain songs and keywords. Officials handled Li's death with extreme caution, permitting only specific forms of mourning, and ubiquitous personnel demanded silence from the public. At the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference on 27 October, spokesperson Mao Ning expressed deep sorrow and urged attention to forthcoming obituaries. Hong Kong Chief Executive Lee Ka-chiu expressed deep sadness, and Macau Chief Executive Ho Iat-seng expressed his deepest condolences, stating that Li's contributions to the country and the people will always be remembered and cherished.

Did You Know?

• Li Keqiang became the youngest Premier at the time of leaving office and the earliest to die among all Premiers since the 1949 proclamation of the People's Republic of China.
• He suffered a sudden heart attack while swimming at the Shanghai Dongjiao Hotel on 26 October 2023, and despite over 10 hours of emergency rescue efforts including an ECMO device, he died at 12:10 a.m. the next day.
• His final public appearance was a visit to the Mogao Caves in Dunhuang, Gansu on 30 August 2023.
• After his death, spontaneous mourning activities occurred at multiple locations across China, but local governments kept sites under close surveillance and swiftly confiscated tributes, especially those with written messages.
• The national news program Xinwen Lianbo positioned the announcement of condolences as the third news item on 27 October, following coverage of current national leaders, mirroring the reporting style used for former Premier Li Peng's death in 2019.