The Populists

Protégés and confidants of President Hu Jintao, populists are primarily concerned with addressing social problems and political tensions. They are also well versed in organizational skills and propaganda. The leaders are known as tuanpai, for the Communist Youth League through which most of them rose in the ranks.

LI KEQIANG

Executive Vice Premier and likely successor to Premier Wen Jiabao

Born into a humble family in which his father was a low-ranking local official, Li began his career as a farmer and then rose through the ranks of the Chinese Communist Youth League. Li went on to attend the prestigious Beijing University and earn an undergraduate degree in law and a Ph.D. in economics. The 53-year-old is known for his enthusiasm for a “harmonious society”; he frequently stresses the importance of helping the unemployed, providing affordable housing, and improving access to healthcare.