Li Chiang, one of Xi Jinping’s most trusted associates, has been sworn in as China’s new prime minister.

Li, 63, a former head of the Chinese Communist Party’s local branch in Shanghai, will succeed Li Keqiang, who is retiring after two five-year terms at the conclusion of the annual work of the National People’s Congress.

Li joined the CCP in 1983, and first became secretary of the Communist Youth League of Rui'an, Zhejiang. L

Serving in the provincial department of civil affairs, he later became the party secretary of Yong Kang, Wenzhou, the Political Legal Affairs Secretary of Zhejiang, and later the deputy party secretary of the province.

He became the governor of Zhejiang in 2012, later the party secretary of Jiangsu province, and finally transferred to the position of party secretary of Shanghai in 2017, the same year he was elevated to become a member of the CCP Politburo.

Li was promoted to the Politburo Standing Committee later in 2022.

Having served together with current CCP general secretary Xi Jinping in Zhejiang, Li is seen as a close ally of Xi. (ILKHA)