The Chinese parliament appoints Li Qiang as prime minister with the aim of boosting the economy

Beijing: Considered one of Xi Jinping’s closest and trusted men, Li Qiang was appointed as the new prime minister of China on Saturdaya day after the president secured an unprecedented third term.

Former Chairman of the Communist Party of Shanghai, Who oversaw two months of strict Covid lockdown last yearsucceeding Li Keqiang, who has been in office since 2013, when Xi also took office.

The 63-year-old leader garnered almost all of the delegate votes collected at the annual session of the National People’s Congress, a mere formality in China’s system of power. On Friday, Xi was unanimously re-elected for another five-year term as head of state.

Xi’s decision to appoint Li Qiang as prime minister was read out in the huge hall of the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. while voting, This resulted in 2,936 votes in favor, 3 against, and eight abstentions. Shi and Li showed understanding gestures and exchanged smiles and pleasantries.

The Prime Minister of China presides over the State Council, whose functions are related to the day-to-day administration of the country and the direction of macroeconomic policy.

as prime minister, Lee will seek to revive the economy Still striving to overcome the epidemic and meet the weak global demand for exports, Continuous increases in US tariffs, a shrinking workforce, and an aging population.

Li’s rise appeared to be in jeopardy after he managed to lock down Shanghai, China’s most populous city and economic hub, whose residents have struggled to get food and medical care.

open the doors

Since then, he is considered a pragmatist with good management skills in the business world, Lee opened the doors to the business elite, Provide guarantees of support to the private sector, in an effort to persuade those who moved abroad during the epidemic to return to China.

Unlike most of his predecessors, Li Qiang had no experience of central government.He has an extensive background in local administration. commands the coastal provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu in the east.

Lee, who started his career as an irrigation pump station operator, He was Xi’s chief of staff when he led the party in Zhejiang from 2004 to 2007.

He now holds the post of Prime Minister At a time when the second largest economy in the world is witnessing a clear slowdown, Weakened by three years of “zero covid” policy. For 2023, the government has set its GDP growth target at “around 5%,” one of the lowest levels in decades.

He also appointed deputies Zhang Youxia and He Weidong As vice-chairmen of the Central Military Commission, chaired by Xi, already Chang Jun as President of the Supreme Court. next to, Liu Jingwu He becomes responsible for the National Oversight Authority, which is the body responsible for fighting corruption.

Agencies AFP, AP and ANSA

Nation