Li Keqiang's coffin was cremated in Beijing.

The coffin of Li Keqiang, former member of the 17th, 18th and 19th Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and former Chinese Premier, was cremated at Babaoshan Cemetery in Beijing on November 2, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

According to Xinhua, Mr. Li Keqiang was praised as an outstanding CPC member, a time-tested steadfast communist soldier, as well as an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, statesman and leader of the Chinese Party and State.

Mr. Li Keqiang passed away from a sudden heart attack at 00:10 local time on October 27 in Shanghai despite receiving dedicated treatment beforehand, at the age of 68.

Top leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng, etc. visited Li Keqiang while he was in hospital or expressed deep condolences and sincere sympathies to his family in various ways after his death, Xinhua reported.

World - Li Keqiang's coffin was cremated in Beijing — Xi Jinping shakes hands with Li Keqiang's family in Beijing, China, November 2, 2023. Li Keqiang's body was cremated at Babaoshan Cemetery. Photo: Xinhua

The ceremony to send Li Keqiang to his final resting place began at 9 a.m. local time on November 2. Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng and others walked slowly to the coffin where Li Keqiang was lying, standing in solemn silence to pay their respects and bowing three times. They shook hands with the deceased's relatives and expressed their condolences.

Mr. Hu Jintao sent a wreath to express his condolences on the passing of Mr. Li Keqiang.

The Chinese national flag was flown at half-mast at Tiananmen Square, the Great Hall of the People, the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Beijing as well as local government offices across the country and diplomatic missions abroad.

“In memory of Comrade Li Keqiang, flags fly at half-mast in Tiananmen Square in the capital,” CCTV said in a report on November 2, along with a photo of the flag being lowered in front of the giant structure against a backdrop of gray morning fog .

Minh Duc (According to Xinhua, The Guardian)

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