Before the start of the 20th party congress this week, few people outside China had heard of Li Qiang, let alone that he was about to become China’s second most powerful leader.
It was not until Sunday, when the Communist party chief of Shanghai followed Xi Jinping on to the stage at the Great Hall of the People, that it became obvious that the 63-year-old has been anointed as the second-ranking Politburo Standing Committee member. He is also poised to become China’s next premier at the annual legislative session in March when Li Keqiang steps down after two terms.
Shanghai has historically been a breeding ground for top national leaders, but unlike most of his predecessors who had been promoted to premiership, Li has no experience as a vice premier. He also lacks the broad range of regional administration experience such as leading an impoverished province – a prerequisite for cadres wishing for top jobs in the party.
