Li Chang (64), a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), who served as Chief of Staff to Chinese President Xi Jinping when he was a provincial governor and party secretary (2002-2007), became prime minister, head of the State Council (government) of China. With the birth of a prime minister who was a key aide to Xi, it is expected that the checks and balances between the president and the prime minister will disappear and the one-person focus system of Xi will become more solid.
On the 11th, the National People’s Congress (National People’s Congress), which is equivalent to the Chinese parliament, held the 4th plenary session of the 14th 1st session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing and decided on Li Chang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo, as prime minister. On this day, Prime Minister Li became prime minister with 2,936 votes in favor, 3 votes against, and 8 abstentions among the 2,947 representatives of the National People’s Congress. The result is similar to that of former Premier Li Keqiang when he was elected in 2013 (2,940 votes in favor, 3 against, 6 abstentions). However, it was not unanimous, as in the previous day’s election of President Xi, the vice-president, and the National People’s Congress Standing Committee vote.
Many Chinese experts believe that Prime Minister Li, whom Xi has virtually raised, will become the prime minister with the least power in history. Bloomberg News of the United States analyzed that day that “Prime Minister Li Chang’s role will be limited to turning President Xi’s ambitions into a policy agenda.” However, some observers say that Premier Li, who is trusted by President Xi, can receive greater discretion than Premier Li Keqiang.
On this day, the National People’s Congress elected Zhang Youxia (張又俠) and He Weidong (何衛東), members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as vice-chairmen of the National People’s Congress. Both of them are called the military ‘Xi Jinping escort’. On the 12th, Ding Xuexiang (丁薛祥), a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Central Political Bureau, and Heifeng (何立峰), a member of the Central Political Bureau, who is considered a key economic aide, were elected as Deputy Premiers of the State Council.
Qin Gang (秦剛, 56), a symbol of China’s “wolf diplomacy,” became a member of the State Council three months after being appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The State Council consists of one Prime Minister, four Vice-Premiers, five State Councilors, and heads of departments (ministers). It is interpreted as proof that the trust of President Xi is special that Director Chin became a member of the State Council very unusually quickly.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.