I'm watching a few Cantonese language geo-politics channels about this news. Some tidbits from the 堅尼地球 interview with Dr Lew, Member of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference...
I'm watching a few Cantonese language geo-politics channels about this news. Some tidbits from the 堅尼地球 interview with Dr Lew, Member of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(1) His last work report as premier this March concluded with this statement: "What Man does, the Heavens judges/watches; the high heavens have eyes" (人在幹，天在看，蒼天有眼) - usually popularly understood as a way for folks who are wronged who have no way to obtain justice to express grievances and basically to say, you watch out, we shall see what karma brings you.
(2) In the past, Li had been outspoken about China's economy. During his tenure*, he pointed out that 600 million people have an annual income of less than 1000 yuan ($136.74 USD). He also questioned the official GDP figures of the China bureau of statistics, and proposed his own alternative Li Keqiang Index, which measures electricity supply, bank borrowing figures etc as economic reference instead.
(3) China has an unofficial party policy of 七上八下, meaning you rise in rank in your 70s and you begin slow retirement in your 80s: retain a ton of power even as the official title gets more mysterious. Li was in his 60s, and even though he reached 10 year term, Xi found ways to extend his own reign and the usual thing to do would have been to find a new title and continue as usual, not 裸退, retired naked, meaning without any other official positions at all.
(4) Much like how QEII's true time of death vs announcement time is likely delayed, usually these kinds of announcements are delayed and release bit by bit. Fact that Li's announcement came as a complete shock to everyone and anounced within hours is "interesting".
(5) He was living in Shanghai until his death, which is a Tier 1 city, and the health care provided to him should be top tier as well. 60s is very very young.
(6) There's been a lot of high rank shuffling this year within the party. Last year there were rumours of 習下李上, of Xi stepping down and Li stepping up, which obviously did not come to pass, but nevertheless possibly represented some internal wishes for China to go a new direction. The high rank shuffling and sidelining of Li could be read as a failed attempt of takeover.
My own additional commentary:
(a) Li making waves about China's true economy, while Xi is painting a rosy picture about his glorious reign, was noted as a sort of challenge to the official imperial narrative. And having your own name be attached to the method of challenge is especially taboo in personality cults. Li wasn't a stupid man, he wouldn't have published reports like that in such a public way unless he had some beliefs that he could survive the blowback and have something to gain from the move.
Edit- numbering.
Edit 2 - Li Keqiang Index wiki : railway cargo volume, electricity consumption and loans disbursed by banks.
I'm watching a few Cantonese language geo-politics channels about this news. Some tidbits from the 堅尼地球 interview with Dr Lew, Member of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
(1) His last work report as premier this March concluded with this statement: "What Man does, the Heavens judges/watches; the high heavens have eyes" (人在幹，天在看，蒼天有眼) - usually popularly understood as a way for folks who are wronged who have no way to obtain justice to express grievances and basically to say, you watch out, we shall see what karma brings you.
(2) In the past, Li had been outspoken about China's economy. During his tenure*, he pointed out that 600 million people have an annual income of less than 1000 yuan ($136.74 USD). He also questioned the official GDP figures of the China bureau of statistics, and proposed his own alternative Li Keqiang Index, which measures electricity supply, bank borrowing figures etc as economic reference instead.
(3) China has an unofficial party policy of 七上八下, meaning you rise in rank in your 70s and you begin slow retirement in your 80s: retain a ton of power even as the official title gets more mysterious. Li was in his 60s, and even though he reached 10 year term, Xi found ways to extend his own reign and the usual thing to do would have been to find a new title and continue as usual, not 裸退, retired naked, meaning without any other official positions at all.
(4) Much like how QEII's true time of death vs announcement time is likely delayed, usually these kinds of announcements are delayed and release bit by bit. Fact that Li's announcement came as a complete shock to everyone and anounced within hours is "interesting".
(5) He was living in Shanghai until his death, which is a Tier 1 city, and the health care provided to him should be top tier as well. 60s is very very young.
(6) There's been a lot of high rank shuffling this year within the party. Last year there were rumours of 習下李上, of Xi stepping down and Li stepping up, which obviously did not come to pass, but nevertheless possibly represented some internal wishes for China to go a new direction. The high rank shuffling and sidelining of Li could be read as a failed attempt of takeover.
My own additional commentary:
(a) Li making waves about China's true economy, while Xi is painting a rosy picture about his glorious reign, was noted as a sort of challenge to the official imperial narrative. And having your own name be attached to the method of challenge is especially taboo in personality cults. Li wasn't a stupid man, he wouldn't have published reports like that in such a public way unless he had some beliefs that he could survive the blowback and have something to gain from the move.
Edit- numbering.
Edit 2 - Li Keqiang Index wiki : railway cargo volume, electricity consumption and loans disbursed by banks.