Major Shakeup in Chinese State Council Preceded Li Keqiang’s Death

Flowers left at a place where former Chinese premier Li Keqiang used to work at in Chuzhou, in China's eastern Anhui province, on Oct. 30, 2023. STR/AFP via Getty Images

On Oct. 27, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) announced the passing of Li Keqiang, the former premier of the CCP. The official statement indicated that Li suffered a fatal heart attack while swimming during a visit to Shanghai. A ceremony honoring the 68-year-old took place in Beijing on Nov. 2, the same day his body was cremated.

The sudden demise of Li Keqiang, coupled with his swift cremation, has ignited global speculation about whether foul play may have been involved. The untimely event coincided with the ongoing purging of disloyal CCP members, concurrent with the replacement of Li’s appointees to key ministerial positions within China’s State Council.

Overhaul of China’s State Council

In the aftermath of Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s 20th National Congress and Two Sessions, the seven ministries of China’s State Council, previously overseen by Li, witnessed a changing of the guard. Individuals displaying greater loyalty to Mr. Xi replaced Li’s appointees in the ministries of Transport, Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Central Bank, Finance, Science and Technology, and Civil Affairs. The motives behind these changes were not officially explained.