Li Keqiang, now China’s new premier, is a major figure in China’s political arena. He is known for his toughness in advancing complex reforms, for his social warmth and his scholarly temperament. He has garnered much attention for his practical work style and emphasis on putting people first.

Li Keqiang was born in July 1955. Li is an ethnic Han from Dingyuan, Anhui Province. He entered the workforce in March, 1974 and joined the CPC in May, 1976. Li graduated from Peking University with a major in economics. He is currently a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

In 1998, Li Keqiang arrived in Henan Province and became China’s youngest governor with a doctoral degree. Li pursued industrialization, urbanization and agricultural modernization, pushing Henan to turn into an emerging industrial province from an agricultural province.

At the end of 2004, Li was transferred to northeast China’s Liaoning province. He designed a coastal economic belt to develop the coastal areas in Liaoning, and brought new growth to the old industrial base.

In 2008, at the age of 53, Li became China’s youngest vice-premier in nearly 20 years. Facing a global financial crisis, he adopted a proactive fiscal policy with the precondition of keeping the deficit below three percent. This gave the Chinese economy a boost. Li also made arrangements for an affordable housing program for the needy.

Li joined the highest leading body of the CPC in 2007. In November, 2012, Li was re-elected as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.