China Communist Party officials 'offered' to quit top ranks: Xinhua

State-run media says Li Keqiang, Wang Yang made way for younger officials

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was among the surprise omissions from the new Politburo Standing Committee at the recent Communist Party congress. © Reuters

TSUKASA HADANO, Nikkei staff writer

October 27, 2022 02:17 JST

BEIJING -- Certain top Chinese Communist Party officials voluntarily stepped down from leadership, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported, apparently referring to the surprise retirements of Premier Li Keqiang and previous No. 4 Wang Yang.

The departures of Li and Wang from the Politburo Standing Committee, the party's top decision-making body, before the traditional retirement age of 68 had caused a stir, particularly with 69-year-old President Xi Jinping staying on as party chief.