Another Xi Loyalist At Key Position As Chinese President Names Li Qiang As Next Premier

<p><strong>China Government Reshuffle:</strong> Chinese President Xi Jinping has yet again nominated another close ally for a key position in a government reshuffle to have more control in his hand. He has named one of his close confidantes, Li Qiang as the country&rsquo;s next premier, reported The Guardian citing the official Xinhua news agency.&nbsp;</p> <p>The announcement was made during the ongoing annual meeting of China&rsquo;s parliament. As per the report, Li Qiang is the former Communist party chief of Shanghai, China&rsquo;s largest city. He served as Xi&rsquo;s chief of staff between 2004 and 2007, when Xi was the provincial party secretary of eastern China&rsquo;s Zhejiang province.&nbsp;</p> <p>Li Qiang will replace Li Keqiang, who became the country&rsquo;s premier in 2013 amid hopes that he would bring in liberal reforms. According to The Guardian&rsquo;s report, Li Keqiang&rsquo;s power was curbed by Xi, who increasingly sidelined him and placed allies in key strategic positions over him.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a title="Russia Sending US-Supplied Weapons Captured In Ukraine To Iran: Report" href="https://ift.tt/TNADmua" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia Sending US-Supplied Weapons Captured In Ukraine To Iran: Report</a></strong></p> <p>During the opening session of the National People's Congress, as mentioned in the Guardian&rsquo;s report, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang bows to delegates after delivering his work report.&nbsp;</p> <p>Li Keqiang has served two five-year terms and is retiring during the National People&rsquo;s Congress session ending on Monday.&nbsp;</p> <p>Li Qiang was put on track for premier in October when he was appointed to the number-two role on the politburo standing committee during the Communist party congress, held every five years, the report said.&nbsp;</p> <p>As per the report, Chinese President Xi is installing his loyalists in key positions amid the biggest government reshuffle in the country in a decade. Xi was elected as president for an unprecedented third term on Friday.&nbsp;</p> <p>Another loyalist, Liu Jinguo was nominated as a candidate for director of the National Commission of Supervision on Saturday, which oversees the government&rsquo;s anti-corruption work, The Guardian cited Xinhua.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>ALSO READ: <a title="Xi Jinping Handed Rare Third Term As China's President" href="https://ift.tt/HQFACke" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Xi Jinping Handed Rare Third Term As China's President</a></strong></p>

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