China

Chinese premier Li confirms he will step down next March

cde.news desk 11 March 2022, 06:45 · 1 min read

epa07438228 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang gestures as he speaks during a press conference after the closing of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 15 March 2019. The NPC has over 3,000 delegates and is the world's largest parliament or legislative assembly though its function is largely as a formal seal of approval for the policies fixed by the leaders of the Chinese Communist Party. The NPC runs alongside the annual plenary meetings of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), together known as 'Lianghui' or 'Two Meetings'. EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY

BEIJING, March 11 (Reuters) – China’s Premier Li Keqiang confirmed on Friday plans to step down after his current term expires next March.

The No. 2 in the hierarchy of China’s ruling Communist Party, Li has been premier since 2013, and is constitutionally limited to two terms.

“This is the last year I will be premier,” Li told a news conference.

President Xi Jinping is expected to secure a precedent-breaking third term as party chief at a party meeting this autumn to elect leaders for the next five years.

In 2015, China revised its constitution to drop a limit of two terms for those holding the post of president.

Party leaders can choose the next premier.

Photo – Chinese Premier Li Keqiang . EPA-EFE/ROMAN PILIPEY

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Chinese premier Li confirms he will step down next March

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