Li Qiang: Xi Jinping’s right-hand man behind sweeping Covid lockdown elected China’s new premier

Li Qiang has formally become China’s next premier in a role that has traditionally entailed wielding broad authority over economic policy for the world’s second-largest economy.

Mr Li was formally elected on Saturday as the second most powerful man in China, after president Xi Jinping had earlier nominated the 63-year-old for the role.

The National People’s Congress had 2,936 votes in favour of Mr Li, and three against him. There were eight abstentions.