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☆ Li Keqiang, Former China Premier Sidelined by Xi Jinping, Dies at 68
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( James T. Areddy | Chun Han Wong | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

China’s former premier, Li Keqiang , whose efforts to retool his country’s economy faltered under the dominance of top leader Xi Jinping , died Friday after suffering heart failure, state media said. Li, who served a decade as premier until March, was in Shanghai when he experienced a sudden heart attack on Thursday, the official Xinhua News Agency said in a brief report.

Persons: Li Keqiang, Xi Jinping, Li Organizations: Xinhua News Agency Locations: Shanghai

☆ Li Keqiang, Former Chinese Premier, Dies of Heart Attack at 68
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Chris Buckley | More About Chris Buckley | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

China’s former premier, Li Keqiang, died of a heart attack on Friday, Chinese state media announced — an abruptly early end to a leader who had served alongside Xi Jinping for a decade until March. Mr. Li, 68, was visiting Shanghai when he suddenly suffered the heart failure near midnight on Thursday, a report on Chinese state television said. “All efforts to resuscitate him failed,” said the report. Mr. Li was once considered a potential top leader of the ruling Chinese Communist Party. But in the end, he was overtaken by Mr. Xi, and became China’s premier — its prime minister — in 2013.

Persons: Li Keqiang, —, Xi Jinping, Li, ”, Xi Organizations: Mr, Communist Party Locations: Shanghai

☆ China's Former Premier Li Keqiang Has Died -State Media
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's former Premier Li Keqiang has died of a sudden heart attack aged 68, state media said on Friday. "Comrade Li Keqiang, while resting in Shanghai in recent days, experienced a sudden heart attack on Oct. 26 and after all-out efforts to revive him failed, died in Shanghai at ten minutes past midnight on Oct. 27," state broadcaster CCTV reported. The former Chinese premier and head of China's cabinet served under President Xi Jinping for a decade from 2013, retiring in March. The elite Peking University-educated economist was once viewed as a top Communist Party leadership contender, but became increasingly sidelined by Xi in recent years. (Reporting by Shanghai newsroom and Laurie Chen; Writing by Liz Lee; Editing by Shri Navaratnam and Jamie Freed)

Persons: Li Keqiang, Xi Jinping, Xi, Laurie Chen, Liz Lee, Shri Navaratnam, Jamie Freed Organizations: CCTV, Peking University, Communist Party, Shanghai Locations: BEIJING, Shanghai, China

☆ Elon Musk's whirlwind China trip included talks with vice premier
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SHANGHAI, June 1 (Reuters) - Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) Chief Executive Elon Musk departed Shanghai on Thursday, wrapping up a two-day trip to China in which he met senior Chinese government officials including the highest-ranking vice premier. The video released by Tesla showed Musk praising employees for "overcoming so many difficulties and challenges" and making a heart sign with his hands. Earlier in the trip, Musk met with China's foreign, commerce and industry ministers in Beijing and dined with the chairman of battery supplier Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) (300750.SZ). He also met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Wednesday, a source familiar with the matter said. China values its relationship with Tesla and in 2019 Musk had a one-on-one meeting with then premier Li Keqiang.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk's, Tom Zhu, Tesla, Musk, Ding Xuexiang, Ding, Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang, Chen Jining, Chen, Zhang Yan, Brenda Goh, Nicoco Chan, Julie Zhu, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: Tesla Inc, Amperex Technology Co, State, Information Office, U.S ., Thomson Locations: SHANGHAI, Shanghai, China, Beijing, U.S, Shanghai's Hongqiao, Austin , Texas, Hong Kong

☆ 6 photos of Elon Musk's visit to China, from a 16-course dinner to meetings with Chinese officials
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-31 | by ( Grace Kay | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Photos from the visit show Musk's private jet landing and the Tesla CEO's 16-course meal. Elon Musk touched down in China for the first time in three years on Tuesday — a key trip for the Tesla chief. Musk met with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Musk is one of several US CEOs to visit China in recent months. Some analysts have hailed Musk's visit to China as a positive sign.

Persons: Elon Musk, Musk, Elon, Tingshu Wang, Ma, Jack Ma, Tom Zhu, Grace Tao, Qin Gang, Qin, he's, Zeng Yuqun, Fu Yan, Jin Zhuanglong, Tesla, CNBC's David Faber, Li Keqiang, Li Qiang, Dan Ives Organizations: Morning, Tesla, Twitter, REUTERS, Reuters, Tesla's, Beijing REUTERS, Chinese Ministry of Commerce, Foreign, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amperex Technology, Weibo, Associated Press, Apple, Getty Locations: China, Beijing, Austin , Texas, Anchorage , Alaska, People's Republic of China, Shanghai

☆ Tesla's Musk open to expanding in China - foreign ministry
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Musk also told Qin in the meeting that he opposed a decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies, according to a statement from the Chinese foreign ministry. Qin told Musk China was committed to improving the business environment for investors, including Tesla, and used an elaborate driving metaphor to describe China-U.S. relations. /Photo prise le 30 mai 2023/REUTERS/Tingshu WangIn a 2019 trip to China, Musk met with then-Premier Li Keqiang. A year later, he created a buzz on Chinese social media for dancing onstage to celebrate the opening of Tesla's Shanghai factory. While his plane was en route to China, Musk tweeted about advances in China's space programme, which aims to land a crew on the moon before 2030.

☆ President Xi Jinping says he doesn't want a hodgepodge 'street stall economy' in Beijing, even as China's youth unemployment rates hit a record high
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke against having a "street stall economy" in Beijing last week. It cannot operate 'factories in alleys' and engage in the 'street stall economy," Xi said, according to Insider's translation of his speech which was first reported by state news agency Xinhua. "Street stall economy" in China refers to recent efforts by local governments to revive their regional economies and to create jobs by promoting small entrepreneurship. China's youth unemployment rates are at a record highXi's opposition to the "street stall economy" could dash local government efforts to boost the economy through small entrepreneurship, even as China's youth unemployment rate hit a record high of 20.4% in April. This means 11 million Chinese people aged 16 to 24 are out of work, per CNN's calculations on April 30.

☆ Xi Jinping says no to ‘street stall economy’ in Beijing
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —Chinese President Xi Jinping has opposed the lifting of curbs on street vendors in Beijing, signaling splits within government over a policy shift aimed at tackling rising unemployment. In a recent tour of the Xiongan New Area, a city south of Beijing, Xi unusually revealed his personal views about the “street stall economy,” according to a report earlier this week by China’s state-owned Xinhua news agency. “The capital city is first and foremost a political center, not a ‘hodgepodge’, where ‘factories in alleys’ and the ‘street stall economy’ are not allowed,” he said. It’s unclear whether the capital must now comply with Xi’s views and outlaw street vendors once again. But the recent policy reversal was made against a backdrop of growing challenges facing the world’s second largest economy.

☆ Can the Zibo barbecue frenzy save China from economic crises?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Zhu Zheng/Xinhua/Getty ImagesSo many tourists flocked into Zibo, now dubbed China’s outdoor barbecue capital, that even the local tourism authorities urged visitors to go elsewhere. A few may, but most won’t.”A shop owner shows off grilled meat during a barbecue festival on April 29, 2023 in Zibo, eastern China. The city Zibo became a tourism hot spot after videos of its barbecue went viral online. China’s economy is navigating a growing array of challenges. The informal trade might reduce unemployment temporarily, and give people feeling poorer a boost, but it “won’t save China’s economy,” Tsang said.

☆ China names head of NFRA as financial industry faces greater scrutiny
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-11 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN —China has appointed the head of its powerful new financial watchdog, which was created as part of sweeping reforms aimed at reining in the $60 trillion industry. Currently, several provincial leaders had previous careers in the financial industry, including Wu Qing, vice mayor of Shanghai and formerly the chairman of the Shanghai Stock Exchange. China’s sprawling financial industry is coming under closer scrutiny as Xi and his key allies have asserted greater direct control over financial policy. For years, Xi has said the financial industry should better serve the real economy, including making money available to businesses that need it. To further consolidate control, according to analysts, the top anti-graft body has carried out a sweeping anti-corruption campaign in the financial industry, which has ensnared more than a dozen senior executives from state-owned financial institutions.

☆ China renews pledge for wider market access for foreign investors
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, March 16 (Reuters) - China's commerce ministry said on Wednesday it will continue to push for the relaxation of market access for foreign investors, renewing efforts to lure foreign capital as the world's second-largest economy emerges from three years of COVID disruptions. As China reopens after dropping its zero tolerance policy for COVID-19 in December, convincing foreign investors to return to China will help reinvigorate an economy that grew at its slowest rates last year in half a century. China will "help foreign companies seize the opportunity to deepen their presence in China," Shu Jueting, a commerce ministry spokesperson, told reporters. Shu told reporters that China will also "steadily expand institutional openness." China's fresh efforts to court foreign investors and businesses also came as global uncertainties, from wars to bank crises, push them to search for new safe havens.

☆ Li Qiang: China's new premier tries to reassure private sector amid widespread concerns about future
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s new premier has tried to reassure the private sector in his debut press conference, as concerns grew about the country’s future policy direction with the introduction of a new cabinet loyal to leader Xi Jinping. Li Qiang, a long-time aide to Xi, officially succeeded Li Keqiang as premier over the weekend. Li Qiang speaks during his first press conference as premier at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 13, 2023. As a group of Xi’s close associates stepped into office, some Western-educated, reform-minded officials departed – including former Premier Li Keqiang and former Vice Premier Liu He. Analysts are worried that Xi’s preference for personal loyalty over technocratic competence signals a more ideology-driven policy direction that could further dent private sector growth and worsen Beijing’s ties with Washington.

☆ China central bank punts its succession problem
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

That may be because Zhu Hexin, his mooted successor, is known mostly for his stint heading state-owned financial conglomerate CITIC – not a household name outside China - has no detectable international experience. In contrast, Yi is a respected known quantity for domestic and international investors alike, comfortable parleying with global institutions like the World Bank and IMF. Beijing might be keeping Yi for the painful parts of the reorganisation – including massive pay cuts – before retiring him. The so-called sea turtles – Chinese people with overseas market experience and foreign language skills – have been migrating out of government for years. They do not reflect the views of Reuters News, which, under the Trust Principles, is committed to integrity, independence, and freedom from bias.

However, further announcements are expected in coming weeks as China implements a reorganisation of its financial regulatory structure and other government bodies. "Opting for continuity in these critical economic roles suggests an emphasis on credibility and stability," said Mattie Bekink, China director at the Economist Intelligence Corporate Network. The U.S.-educated central bank chief Yi, appointed PBOC governor in 2018, had widely been expected to retire after being left off the ruling Communist Party's Central Committee during the party's once-in-five-years congress in October. "It shows China wants to at least have a dialogue with the United States on monetary policy and financial cooperation," he said. The parliamentary session will end on Monday, with Xi expected to give a speech and Li, the new premier, scheduled to hold a televised media conference afterwards.

☆ Li Qiang becomes China's premier, tasked with reviving economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Li Qiang, likely to become the next premier, is pictured here speaking at a major annual financial conference in Shanghai in 2020. Li Qiang, the former Communist Party chief of Shanghai, took office on Saturday as China's premier, the country's No.2 post, putting the close ally of President Xi Jinping in charge of reviving an economy battered by three years of COVID-19 curbs. Li Qiang is the first premier since the founding of the People's Republic never to have served previously in the central government, meaning he may face a steep learning curve in the initial months on the job, analysts said. Still, Li's close ties with Xi - Li was Xi's chief of staff between 2004 and 2007, when the latter was provincial party secretary of Zhejiang province - will empower him to get things done, leadership-watchers said. "My reading of the situation is that Li Qiang will have a lot more leeway and authority within the system," said Trey McArver, co-founder of consultancy Trivium China.

[1/4] China's newly-elected Premier Li Qiang takes an oath after being elected during the fourth plenary session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on March 11, 2023. Previously the Communist Party chief in Shanghai, Li was confirmed as premier during the National People's Congress, charged with managing the world's second largest economy. "Officials know that Li Qiang is Xi Jinping's guy," he said. "He clearly thinks that Li Qiang is a very competent person and he has put him in this position because he trusts him and he expects a lot of him." American author Robert Lawrence Kuhn, who met Li and Xi together in 2005 and 2006, said the two shared an easy rapport.

☆ China's Xi nominates Li Qiang to become premier
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, March 11 (Reuters) - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday nominated Li Qiang, 63, to become premier during the ongoing annual meeting of China's rubber-stamp parliament, a role charged with managing the world's second-largest economy. Li, the former Communist Party chief of Shanghai, China's largest city, will replace Li Keqiang, who is retiring during the National People's Congress session that ends on Monday, after serving two five-year terms. Li Qiang is a close ally of Xi, serving as his chief of staff between 2004 and 2007, when Xi was provincial party secretary of eastern China's Zhejiang province. He was put on track for premier in October, when he was appointed to the number-two role on the Politburo Standing Committee during the once-in-five-years Communist Party Congress. Reporting by Laurie Chen and Tony Munroe; Editing by Sandra Maler and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

As debt obligations mount, some local governments are pushing banks to extend maturities and cut interest rates, sources said. Reuters Graphics"BLACK HOLES""The LGFVs have become the black hole of the Chinese financial system. Chinese banks and other financial institutions have been cautious on new lending to LGFVs over the past years. In recent months, some state-owned banks, asset managers, and insurers have been looking into their portfolios to screen LGFV borrowers with weaker creditworthiness and dispose them, separate financial sector sources told Reuters. Offshore branches of Chinese financial institutions have been major buyers of the bonds, industry sources said.

☆ China to restructure sci-tech ministry to achieve self-reliance faster
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Eduardo Baptista | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BEIJING, March 7 (Reuters) - China will restructure its science and technology ministry to channel more resources to achieving important breakthroughs, with the goal of moving faster towards self-reliance, according to a State Council plan submitted to parliament on Tuesday. The restructuring of the central government ministry was included in a reform plan of state institutions that the State Council, China's cabinet, submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC), which is meeting this week. The institutional changes revealed on Tuesday will reduce the scope of the science and technology ministry as previous responsibilities, such as building high-tech industrial development zones and driving technological progress in rural areas, will be re-distributed across several ministries. "Strengthen the Ministry of Science and Technology's strategic planning ... optimise the whole-process management of scientific and technological innovation," the cabinet said in the plan. Reporting by Eduardo Baptista; Editing by Andrew Heavens, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Previously the Communist Party chief in Shanghai, Li is poised to be confirmed as premier on Saturday during the ongoing National People's Congress, charged with managing the world's second largest economy. Trey McArver, co-founder of consultancy Trivium China, said Li is likely to be much more powerful than his predecessor. "Officials know that Li Qiang is Xi Jinping's guy," he said. "He clearly thinks that Li Qiang is a very competent person and he has put him in this position because he trusts him and he expects a lot of him." American author Robert Lawrence Kuhn, who met Li and Xi together in 2005 and 2006, said the two shared an easy rapport.

☆ NPC 2023: Xi Jinping hits out at US as he urges China's private firms to 'fight' alongside Communist Party
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

“The private sector is an important force for our party to govern in the long term,” Xi said. Business confidence has plummeted following an unprecedented regulatory crackdown on the private sector and increasing uncertainties about China’s future path. Major contributorThe private sector, despite being dwarfed in size by the state sector, contributes more than 60% to China’s GDP and over 80% of employment, according to official statistics. It’s also necessary to protect the property rights of private companies and entrepreneurs and treat state firms and private companies equally, so as to “boost market expectations and confidence,” he said. “[We should] let private companies play an important role in stabilizing employment and increasing [government] income,” he said.

☆ Oil steadies after dipping on China outlook; investors await Fed clues
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Arathy Somasekhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SummarySummary Companies China's growth outlook down from last year's targetFed chair speaks to Congress this weekU.S. February jobs report also in focusHOUSTON, March 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices were steady on Monday as top oil executives debated supply tightness at an oil conference in Houston. Oil market and logistics are tight and vulnerable to any unexpected supply disruption, as Russian oil is still getting to the market, but at different costs, oil major Chevron Corp (CVX.N) Chief Executive Mike Wirth said at the CERAWeek energy conference. Trading company Gunvor's CEO Torbjorn Tornqvist said crude prices may rise in the second half of the year as Chinese demand returns to the market, adding that the oil market has stabilised. China's closely watched growth outlook, announced on Sunday, was lower than last year's 5.5% target for gross domestic product (GDP) growth. At the same time, oil prices are likely to be affected by increases to interest rates across the world as global central banks tighten policy over fears of rising inflation.

☆ Oil dips on China outlook while investors await Fed clues
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Noah Browning | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Brent crude futures were trading down 60 cents, or 0.7%, at $85.23 a barrel by 1520 GMT. "Crude remains in a tug-of-war between optimism over Chinese reopening and nervousness over a hawkish Fed hurting the U.S. economy," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights. China's closely watched growth outlook, announced on Sunday, was lower than last year's 5.5% target for gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Policy sources had told Reuters the target could be set as high as 6% for 2023. At the same time, oil prices are likely to be affected by increases to interest rates across the world as global central banks tighten policy over fears of rising inflation.

☆ China's Li Keqiang announces lowest GDP target in decades amid major economic leadership overhaul
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Hong Kong CNN —China’s outgoing Premier Li Keqiang has announced the country’s lowest GDP growth target in decades, highlighting the domestic and global challenges the world’s second largest economy still faces despite its decision late last year to ditch draconian anti-Covid measures. It fell well short of the official growth target of “around 5.5%.”“Having declared the end of pandemic, the leaders are sticking to the slowing GDP growth path in the long term by lowering annual GDP target gradually,” said Ken Cheung, chief Asian foreign exchange strategist at Mizuho Bank. “Moreover, China has been downplaying the numeric GDP target and shifted to balance the quality since President Xi’s era,” he said. Premier Li also said the government would only raise fiscal spending by 5.6% this year, which is lower than the growth of 6.1% in fiscal spending in 2022. “After three years of pandemic [measures], it could be more than desirable for governments, especially the local governments, to restore fiscal resilience,” said Citi analysts.

☆ Oil prices open lower on modest Chinese growth forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-06 | by ( Sudarshan Varadhan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 6 (Reuters) - Oil prices opened lower on Monday after China set a modest target for economic growth this year of around 5%, lower than market expectations of 5.5% growth in the world's second- largest oil consumer. China's closely watched growth outlook was down from last year's target of 5.5% and came in at the low end of expectations. At the same time, oil prices are likely to be impacted by rate hikes across the world as global central banks tighten policy over fears of increasing inflation. Traders have started factoring in rate hikes across the world, but are hoping for smaller increases than last year. The United States' future rate hikes are also likely to depend on what the February payrolls report reveals on Friday, followed by the February inflation report due next week.

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