Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Verna Yu

‘A defeated person’: sidelined by Xi, China’s Li Keqiang bows out as premier

Chinese premier Li Keqiang bows to delegates after delivering his work report during the opening session of the National People's Congress
China's premier, Li Keqiang, bows to delegates after delivering his work report during the opening session of the National People's Congress. Photograph: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images

In a farewell speech after serving 10 years as China’s number two leader, the premier, Li Keqiang, had a cryptic message for his staff: “While people work, heaven watches. Heaven has eyes.”

His unusually candid words, seen in a video clip on social media but unreported by official media, stoked speculation about whether he was making a veiled attack on President Xi Jinping.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.