Li Qiang

Li Qiang

Member of the Politburo Li Qiang casts his vote during the Third Plenary Session of the National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, China, 10 March 2023. MARK R. CRISTINO/Pool via REUTERS

China's Xi nominates Li Qiang to become premier

New Politburo Standing Committee members Xi Jinping and Li Qiang arrive to meet the media following the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China October 23, 2022. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

'Xi Jinping's guy': Longtime acolyte Li set to be China's next premier