Profile: Li Keqiang: A man who puts people first (2)

（Xinhua） 09:46, December 24, 2012

File photo taken on Aug. 8, 2003 shows Li Keqiang, then secretary of the Henan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), talks to villagers in Xinxiang, central China's Henan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Yu)

Li has also emphasized that only reform can improve Chinese people's living standards and that future reforms must ensure equal rights and opportunities for the people and ensure that everybody adheres to the rules.

From secretary of a village CPC branch to member of the CPC's highest leading body, Li, 57, has continuously maintained a down-to-earth work style and the principle of putting people first.

His curriculum vitae reflects his rich governance experience. Li served as secretary of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) committee of Peking University. He was a member of the Secretariat of the CYLC Central Committee and the Party chief of Henan and Liaoning provinces.

Confident, smart and eloquent in public, Li is frank, amiable, resolute and responsible at work, according to his acquaintances.

After 10 years of study at Peking University, Li earned a bachelor's degree in law and master's and doctorate degrees in economics. He has excelled in China's officialdom due to his academic accomplishments and international perspective.

Li first joined the highest leading body of the CPC five years ago at the first Plenary Session of the 17th CPC Central Committee. A few months later, he became China's youngest vice premier in nearly 20 years.