We’ve said goodbye to an eventful 2016, a year when the government dedicated itself to causes like adjusting economic structures, facilitating reforms, and transforming government functions with resolve to meet challenges.
As head of the government, Premier Li Keqiang impressed us this past year with his highly efficient packed schedule, sparing no efforts to promote international production capacity cooperation based on mutual benefit during his visits to Eurasian countries, nations such as those in the Americas, and Laos and Mongolia.
Back in the domestic arena, he was in the thick of pressing ahead with reforms in various areas, including streamlining administration and delegating powers to bring more convenience to individuals and business people; promoting entrepreneurship and innovation to inject vitality to the economy; and boosting Internet Plus governance to make government services more accessible to ordinary people.
Here we offer a selection of 35 photos of Premier Li to share his moments in 2016.
Inspection of Xiaobeiguan shantytown in Taiyuan
Premier Li visited the Xiaobeiguan shantytown in Taiyuan on Jan 3, Shanxi province, telling residents of the neighborhood that he himself grew up in a shantytown, so he knew well their hardship. The Xiaobeiguan shanty neighborhood houses 830 households. Residents of the community share one toilet. Tap water is available, but there is only one faucet for everyone to use. The Premier promised residents that they will move to new buildings as soon as possible.
Visiting Guandi Mine of Shanxi Coking Coal Group
Premier Li visited the Guandi Mine of the Shanxi Coking Coal Group in Taiyuan on Jan 5, hailing the miners as “the backbone of Shanxi province and the entire country”. In miner’s uniform, the Premier descended 300 meters onto the mine’s working surface and spent two hours inspecting the security conditions of the mining operation. In particular, Premier Li asked about the mine’s gas density and urged the relevant people to closely monitor the situation underground and guarantee safe production.
Seeking suggestions on government work report
Premier Li said the government needs to work hand in hand with non-Communist Party members as well as associations to meet challenges that lay ahead when he met leaders from non-Communist parties as well as associations at a symposium on Jan 25. The meeting was held to seek suggestions from non-Communist parties on improving the draft of the government work report as well as the outline of the 13th Five-Year Plan.
Visiting families in impoverished Ningxia village
Premier Li paid a visit to Banzigou, an impoverished village in Guyuan, Ningxia Hui autonomous region on Feb 1 and promised more efforts would be made to resettle poverty-stricken villagers. After an hour-long bumpy ride on rugged mountain roads, Premier Li arrived at Wang Qi’s family. The 70-year-old Wang, who is bedridden due to paralysis, depends on a minimum living allowance. The Premier asked him about the reimbursement of his medical bills and urged the local government to guarantee the timely distribution of the allowance.
Praising transformation of SOE
Premier Li inspected the Kocel Machinery in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui autonomous region, on Feb 2. The company, founded in 1966, used to be a State–owned enterprise foundry, but after a re-organization, it has now made a revolutionary breakthrough in 3D-printing. Premier Li called the transformation “turning a clunky woman into a fair lady”, adding that it represents the integration of “Made in China 2025” and the Internet, and will lead the transformation of growth engines.
Delivering government work report
Premier Li delivered a government work report at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 12th National People’s Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, on March 5.
Responding to questions from reporters
Premier Li responded to questions from reporters from home and abroad at a news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after the conclusion of the national legislature’s annual session on March 16.
Taking pictures with leaders from Lancang-Mekong countries
Premier Li welcomed leaders from five countries attending the first Lancang-Mekong Cooperation leaders’ meeting on March 22. The Premier took pictures with leaders from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. In November 2014, the Premier proposed building the Lancang-Mekong River Dialogue and Cooperation Mechanism under the framework of China-ASEAN (10+1) at the 17th China-ASEAN leaders’ meeting.
Hailing contribution of workers at medical tourism center in Hainan
Premier Li visited the Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone, the first of its kind, in South China’s Hainan province on March 25. The Premier hailed a worker, who sends back 8,000 yuan of his 9,000 yuan salary every month to support his family, for his contribution to the country at the construction site of the pilot zone. He said many workers like him save money for their family. The projects they build will help more people live a healthier life.
Talks on ‘Tsinghua bamboo strips’
Premier Li visited the library of Tsinghua University on April 15 and met a professor to discuss the “Tsinghua bamboo strips” - a collection of Chinese texts dating to the Warring States Period and written in ink on strips of bamboo, which were acquired in 2008 by Tsinghua University.
Dining with students of Peking University
Premier Li had dinner with students at the Peking University on April 15. The Premier talked for more than half an hour with the students about many topics ranging from national student grants, dorm conditions and the subjects of their theses.
Premier Li pays tribute to Sichuan earthquake victims in Ya’an
Premier Li revisited Lushan to mourn the victims and heroic martyrs three years after a deadly earthquake hit the town in Sichuan province on April 24. The Premier walked up the stairs of Lushan and placed a flower on the memorial table at the 4.20 Lushan earthquake memorial hall. The table is engraved with the names of all 196 victims who died in the quake.
Praising unyielding spirits of Sichuan people
Premier Li walked into a newly-built three-story house that was owned by a villager in the county during his visit to the Lushan county, Sichuan province on April 24. Three years ago, the villager’s house was destroyed by the earthquake. The Premier praised the unyielding spirits, perseverance and endurance of Sichuan people, saying they are optimistic and positive.
Playing badminton with robots in makers town
Premier Li visited the Jingrong makers town, in Chengdu, Sichuan province and was invited to play badminton with a robot designed by one of the town’s start-up teams on April 25.
Stressing historical heritage in Chengdu
Premier Li dropped into a bookstore, as he visited the “Broad and Narrow Alley” in Chengdu, Sichuan province on April 25. The Premier called on local officials to retain the historical heritage in Chengdu and improve people’s livelihoods.
Stressing need for quality reform
Premier Li refueled a red truck on the assembly line during his visit to the Dongfeng plant on May 23, calling for quality reform to promote upgrades in manufacturing. The Premier said quality is at the core. We can have stronger competitiveness if we improve our quality.
Taking a walk with Merkel at Summer Palace
Premier Li and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the Summer Palace on June 12. They walked from the East Palace Gate to the Zhichun Pavillion, where they viewed the Foxiang Pavillion and the Seventeen-Arch Bridge, which embodies the spirit of cooperation.
Taking a test ride on domestic bicycle
Premier Li took a test ride on a super intelligent bicycle during his visit to a Flying Pigeon bicycle experience store in Tianjin, on June 26. He said he would like to advertise Chinese bicycles, saying he is more willing to support the intelligent upgrading of the “Made in China” strategy.
Stressing supply-side structural reform
Premier Li met with more than 300 representatives of business groups attending the Summer Davos Forum in Tianjin on June 28. The Premier said China has aggressively advanced structural reform, especially supply-side reform. Reform is the fundamental driver of China’s economic development.
Directing flood rescue work along Yangtze River in Wuhan
Premier Li directed flood rescue and relief work along the main dike of Yangtze River in Wuhan, capital city of Central China’s Hubei province, on July 6.
Premier Li’s special moments during Mongolia visit
Premier Li talks to Chinese officials after ending three bilateral meetings. Premier Li made an official visit to Mongolia from July 13-16, attending the 11th Asia and Europe Summit in its capital city, Ulaanbaatar.
Premier Li stresses reform, innovation development in Jiangxi
Reform and opening-up and innovation-driven development are the only ways to lift the central regions, Premier Li said during a trip to Jiangxi province from Aug 22 to 24. During his visit to Huangsha village in Ruijin, Premier Li was glad to see the improvement of people’s livelihoods due to renovation of local shantytowns.
Premier Li urges efforts to boost farmers’ income in Jiangxi
During his visit to Ruijin, Jiangxi province, on Aug 22, Premier Li stopped at a paddy field. He checked out the paddy and asked several farmers about the purchase price of rice and their income. The Premier asked accompanying officials in charge of agriculture to ensure farmers’ earnings by further improving the mechanisms on grain circulation and pricing.
Premier’s lunch amid tight schedule
Premier Li kept a tight schedule attending bilateral and multilateral meetings during the East Asia Summit in Laos in early Sept. He only had a brief lunch, a sandwich and a cup of coffee, on the noon of Sept 8 before rushing to the 10+8 leaders meeting.
Premier Li addresses UN General Assembly
Premier Li addresses the summit for refugees and migrants at the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept 19 in New York.
Canadian PM welcomes Premier Li
Two hours after his arrival in Canada on Sept 21, Premier Li was welcomed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, who held a family feast for the Premier at their residence, Harrington Lake. The two couples had casual conversations alongside a nearby lake, under the sunset glow.
Premier Li visits Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro
Premier Li visited Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sept 25 and the two exchanged views on bilateral ties, world peace, regional hotspot issues, food security and a wide range of other issues of common concern.
Premier Li says brighter future in store for Macao
Premier Li left Macao on Oct 12 after his official visit to the region and the 5th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The Premier said he experienced firsthand the patriotic, inclusive, and enterprising spirit of Macao’s people, and believes Macao will have a brighter future.
Premier Li supports hearing-impaired entrepreneurs
Premier Li paid special attention to hearing-impaired entrepreneurs at a national exhibition whose theme was mass entrepreneurship and innovation, in Shenzhen on Oct 12.
Premier Li encourages ‘Made in China 2025’ in Shenzhen
Premier Li on Oct 13 inspected the Shenzhen-based Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group, a high-end manufacturer of laser processing and automation systems integration equipment.
Premier Li sees launch of Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft
Premier Li saw the launch of Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft on Oct 17, and congratulated staffers at the command center in Beijing.
Premier Li visits Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan
Premier Li paid a visit to the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, and sent his regards to the staff on Nov 2 after he arrived in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Premier’s schedule during ‘16+1’ summit
During the “16+1” summit in Riga of Latvia, Premier Li met with leaders of 16 Central and Eastern European nations and Belarus, the observer, in just two days. The busiest time, of course, is the Premier’s discussion with ministers outside the meetings.
Medvedev sees off Premier Li in heavy snow
When Premier Li finished a scheduled meeting in St Petersburg, the host, Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev, saw him off at the gate of the Constantine Palace in the city in heavy snow on Nov 7.
Premier’s inspection reveals Shanghai FTZ’s vital role in reform, opening up
Premier Li took an inspection tour of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone (FTZ) on Nov 21. It was his third inspection since its establishment in September 2013.
