Xi Jinping's Closest Aide Li Qiang Becomes Premier of China's State Council

The National People's Congress of China has appointed Li Qiang, a close confidant of Chinese President Xi Jinping and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as the Premier of the State Council.

On the 11th, the 14th National People's Congress held its 4th plenary session of the 1st meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where it announced the decision to appoint Li Qiang as Premier. Li Qiang becomes the 8th Premier of China and will lead the State Council, the executive branch of the Chinese government, for at least five years.

Premier Li is considered a key aide to President Xi. He previously served as Xi's chief of staff and entered the top leadership as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party at the 20th National Congress last October. Among Xi's close associates, he is also regarded as an economic expert. Premier Li is scheduled to express his inaugural remarks at a press conference on the 13th.