Li Lanqing

Li Lanqing
李岚清
7th First-ranking Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China
In office 1998–2003
Premier	Zhu Rongji
Preceded by	Zhu Rongji
Succeeded by	Huang Ju
Personal details
Born	May 1932 (age 92) Zhenjiang, Kiangsu, Republic of China
Political party	Communist Party of China
Alma mater	Fudan University
Signature	Li Lanqing's signature

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Li.

Li Lanqing (simplified Chinese: 李岚清; traditional Chinese: 李嵐清; pinyin: Lǐ Lánqīng; born May 1932) is a retired Chinese politician, best known for his term as Vice Premier of the State Council between 1998 and 2003, and a member of the Politburo Standing Committee between 1997 and 2002.

Biography

Li was born in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. He initially worked at First Automobile Works. Li graduated from the Business Management Department of Fudan University in Shanghai in 1952. Then in 1956 he was sent to study in the Soviet Union, where he worked as an intern in two Moscow-based automobile factories. In 1959, he began working as a secretary at the First Ministry of Machine-Building. In 1962, he began working as a secretary at the National Economics Commission. After the Cultural Revolution began in 1966, he was sent down to perform labour at at a May 7th Cadre School. In 1972, he resumed work at Second Automobile Works. In 1978, he took part in the planning sessions for a "Third Automobile Works".

In 1981, after economic reforms began, Li was sent to work for the central government in Beijing, leading the Office of Foreign Government Debt at the State Foreign Investment Commission. In 1983 he was again transferred to Tianjin, where he worked under mayor Li Ruihuan as a vice mayor. Li later held positions in the First Ministry of Machine Building Industry and the State Economic Commission.

Li also served as director-general of the Foreign Investment Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade. Li was also Executive Vice Minister and then Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade.

Between 1997 and 2002, he was a member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, the pinnacle of power in Chinese politics. While in government he was the first-ranked Vice-Premier, sometimes known as "Executive Vice Premier". In his capacity as Vice Premier, Li was responsible for national education policy. He is the author of "Education for 1.3 Billion: On 10 Years of Education Reform and Development." The book has sold more than 750,000 copies in China and has been translated into English.

After retiring, Li practiced calligraphy. He also attempted to get a job as a shopkeeper at a local convenience store, but was ultimately not hired after being recognized by the owner.

External links

• Li Lanqing biography @ China Vitae

Political offices
Preceded by Zheng Tuobin	Minister of Foreign Economic Relations and Trade 1990 – 1993	Succeeded by Wu Yi
Preceded by Zhu Rongji	First-ranking Vice-Premier of the State Council 1998 – 2003	Succeeded by Huang Ju