Two sources say Li – whose body has been flown to Beijing – had previously had coronary artery bypass surgery.
Li Keqiang, who retired as China’s premier earlier this year, died of a heart attack at the age of 68 in Shanghai early on Friday morning.
In an official obituary, state media hailed Li as “an outstanding leader of the party and the state” and described his death as a “huge loss” for China. It did not elaborate on the circumstances or exact cause of his death.
The sudden passing of the soft-spoken leader, whom many called “the people’s premier”, shocked the nation. Within hours of the news breaking, millions of people posted on China’s social media platforms to pay tribute.
Two sources told the South China Morning Post that Li had previously had coronary artery bypass surgery. Li retired from the party’s leadership, though he had yet to reach the official retirement age. He stepped down as premier in March this year.
Li was visiting Shanghai this week. Two other sources said Li suffered a heart attack on Thursday while swimming at the Dongjiao State Guest Hotel where he was staying. He was rushed to nearby Shuguang Hospital by his personal security and healthcare staff. State media said Li was pronounced dead 10 minutes after midnight.
A security staff member at the hotel told the Post they were told to suspend business until further notice. Another worker confirmed that Li died there, adding that the entrance was “packed with police in the morning”.
His body was flown back to Beijing on Friday. The arrangements for his funeral have yet to be announced.
Li became premier in 2013 when President Xi Jinping took office, and the two shared a decade-long partnership.
As premier, Li steered the world’s second-largest economy through a period dogged by ballooning government debt, trade tensions with the United States and the Covid-19 pandemic. He served two five-year terms – the maximum allowed under China’s constitution for the premiership.
The official obituary praised Li for his wholehearted support for the Belt and Road Initiative and poverty relief campaign – strategies spearheaded by Xi.
