China to honour Li Keqiang with lowered flags for Thursday funeral: state media
- Chinese state media is reporting that flags will fly at half mast, giving Li the same honours that applied to Li Peng
- All official buildings, including in Hong Kong and Macau, will follow the same protocol
The requirement for official flags to be flown at half mast applies to all government buildings, as well as to Chinese embassies overseas.
The protocol for Li’s mourning puts him on a par with previous premier Li Peng who died in 2019.
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. His body was flown to Beijing on the same day.
The sudden passing of the soft-spoken leader – known to many as “the people’s premier” – shocked the nation.
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‘People’s Premier’: former Chinese premier Li Keqiang dies of a heart attack at age 68
Thousands gathered in cities linked to Li’s life and career to pay tribute, laying masses of yellow and white flowers at landmarks associated with him. Millions also posted on China’s social media platforms.
