China Mourns Departure of Beloved Former Premier, Li Keqiang

China mourned the death of its former premier, Li Keqiang, who passed away from a heart attack on 27 October. Flags flew at half-mast throughout the country as Li's body was moved from Shanghai to Beijing, where he was cremated. Despite limited state coverage of his funeral, crowds gathered along the streets to pay their respects as the procession passed. Li, once seen as a potential future leader, was overshadowed by Xi Jinping and sidelined during Xi's tenure. The public outpouring of grief is seen as a reflection of mourning for a more open and optimistic time in China. Li's funeral took place at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery, attended by Xi and other top members of the Party leadership. Known for his pragmatic economic policies, Li struggled to implement reforms under Xi, who aimed to tighten the party's grip on the country's economy. Li's death has also sparked emotional responses online, despite government attempts at controlling comments.