China's Mourning for Li Keqiang: A Reflection of Marginalization and Struggle

Chinese citizens are mourning the death of Li Keqiang, their former prime minister, despite official media outlets downplaying his passing and censoring online tributes. Some observers see these tributes as a challenge to President Xi Jinping and a yearning for a more reformist China. Li's focus on concrete problems and his willingness to admit China's serious issues, as well as his humble origins, resonated with many Chinese who miss the accountability and governing performance of the reform era. However, under Xi's leadership, China has shifted towards one-man rule and rejects external supervision, making it difficult to acknowledge problems and doubt Xi's leadership.