Absent Patriarchs: Growing Divide in CCP Hierarchy Evident at Li Keqiang’s Funeral

Security guards are seen at an entrance to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on Nov. 2, 2023, the day that former Chinese premier Li Keqiang was cremated there. Pedro Pardo/AFP via Getty Images

Prominent Chinese communist patriarchies were absent from the recent official funeral of former Premier Li Keqiang. A China watcher has said it is an indication of a growing split in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) hierarchy over the scrutiny of Mr. Li’s death.

The 68-year-old’s body was cremated at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on Nov. 2.