The funeral ceremony was held at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing on the morning of November 2, a week after the remains of late Premier Li Keqiang were transferred from Shanghai to Beijing on a special flight on October 27.
On the morning of November 2, a black banner with a white inscription, “Deeply mourn Comrade Li Keqiang”, was hung in the main hall of the cemetery. There is a picture of him under the banner.
theo Xinhua News AgencyAt around 9:00 am (local time) on November 2, Chinese President Xi Jinping led senior leaders to see off Mr Li Keqiang.
Mr Xi Jinping shook hands with Mr Li Keqiang’s wife, Ms Zheng Hong, and expressed his deep condolences to her and her bereaved family, according to a recording by China Central Television (CCTV). Ms. Zheng Hong is a leading scholar and professor at the University of Economics and Commerce in Beijing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping led senior Chinese party and state leaders in paying tribute to former Premier Li Keqiang. Photo: Xinhua News Agency
Mr Xi Jinping, standing next to his wife (Ms Peng Liyuan), bowed three times before Mr Li Keqiang’s coffin.
Mr Xi Jinping is followed by Prime Minister Li Qiang and a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Politburo.
Xinhua News Agency Former President Hu Jintao, who was Mr Li Keqiang’s superior when he worked at the Chinese Youth Federation, was reported to have sent a floral tribute at the meeting ceremony.
Outside the visitation ceremony, crowds also gathered on the main streets of the cemetery to say goodbye to Mr Li Keqiang. Some roads within a radius of 2-3 km around the cemetery are closed to vehicles.
In memory of Mr Li Keqiang, flags at Chinese government buildings and diplomatic missions abroad were flown at half-mast on 2 November.
Mr. Li Keqiang and Ms. Trinh Hong during their visit to Canada. Photo: Reuters
Previous information above Xinhua News Agency Said Mr. Li Keqiang suffered a sudden heart attack in Shanghai on October 26. He died at 0:10 (local time) on 27 October at the age of 68.
Mr. Li Keqiang is a member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China for the 17th, 18th and 19th terms (from 2007-2022) and Prime Minister from 2013-2023.
theo Xinhua News Agency, Mr Li Keqiang was praised as “an outstanding Party member, a loyal Communist soldier, a proletarian revolutionary, a brilliant politician and leader of the Party and the state”.
