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Wen Jiabao

Wen Jiabao (born 15 September 1942) is a Chinese retired politician who served as the premier of China from 2003 to 2013. In his capacity as head of government, Wen was regarded as the leading figure behind China's economic policy. From 2002 to 2012, he held membership in the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, the country's de facto top power organ, where he was ranked third out of nine members and after general secretary Hu Jintao and Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

Wen Jiabao
温家宝
Wen in 2012
6th Premier of the People's Republic of China
In office
15 March 2003 – 14 March 2013
Vice Premier
LeaderHu Jintao
Preceded byZhu Rongji
Succeeded byLi Keqiang
Vice Premier of the People's Republic of China
In office
18 March 1998 – 14 March 2003
PremierZhu Rongji
Preceded byLi Lanqing
Succeeded byHui Liangyu
Director of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party
In office
April 1986 – March 1993
General SecretaryHu Yaobang
Zhao Ziyang
Jiang Zemin
Preceded byWang Zhaoguo
Succeeded byZeng Qinghong
Personal details
Born (1942-09-15) 15 September 1942 (age 80)
Tiensin, China
Political partyChinese Communist Party (1965-Present)
SpouseZhang Peili
ChildrenWen Yunsong
Wen Ruchun (Lily Chang)
Alma materChina University of Geosciences (UG, Grad)
Wen Jiabao
"Wen Jiabao" in Simplified (top) and Traditional (bottom) Chinese characters
Simplified Chinese温家宝
Traditional Chinese溫家寶

He worked as the chief of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party between 1986 and 1993, and accompanied Party general secretary Zhao Ziyang as Zhao's personal secretary to Tiananmen Square during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre, where Zhao called on protesting students to leave the square and after which Zhao was removed from his position within the Party. In 1998, Wen was promoted to the post of Vice Premier under Premier Zhu Rongji, his mentor, and oversaw the broad portfolios of agriculture and finance.

Wen was dubbed "the people's premier" by both domestic and foreign media.[1] Instead of concentrating on GDP growth in large cities and rich coastal areas, Wen advocated for advancing policies considered more favorable towards farmers and migrant workers. Wen's government reduced agricultural taxes and pursued ambitious infrastructure projects. Following the global financial crisis of 2008, Wen's government injected four trillion yuan into the economy as part of a stimulus program.

Seen as the leading member of the reform wing of the Communist Party, Wen's family came under scrutiny by investigative journalists for having accumulated a massive fortune during his time in government, casting a cloud over his legacy shortly prior to his retirement.[2][3][4] He left office in 2013 and was succeeded by Li Keqiang.

Early life and education

 

Born in Beichen district of the City of Tianjin, Wen Jiabao went to the Nankai High School from which the first premier of the People's Republic of China Zhou Enlai graduated.

Wen attended the Beijing Institute of Geology (now the China University of Geosciences) for undergraduate education with a major in geological surveying and prospecting from 1960 to 1965. Afterwards, he pursued his graduate studies in geological structure from 1965 to 1968.[5][6]

Wen joined the Chinese Communist Party when he was a college student in April 1965.[5][7]

Early career

After the completion of his graduate studies, he began his career in the geology bureau of Gansu province. From 1968 to 1978, he presided over the Geomechanics Survey Team under the Gansu Provincial Geological Bureau and head of its political section. Wen succeeded in office, rising as chief of the Gansu Provincial Geological Bureau and later as Vice-minister of Geology and Mineral Resources.

Wen was "discovered" by then-CCP general secretary Hu Yaobang, and joined the ranks of the Central Committee and Politburo. There was some public speculation after 1989 over whether Wen was closer to Hu Yaobang or Zhao Ziyang, but Wen implicitly confirmed that he was a protégé of Hu by the release of his 2010 article, "Recalling Hu Yaobang when I returned to Xingyi".[8] After Wen was promoted to work in Beijing, he served as Chief of the Party's General Affairs Office, an organ that oversaw day-to-day operations of the party's leaders. He remained in the post for eight years.

Wen has built a network of patronage during his career. Throughout this period Wen was said to be a strong administrator and technocrat, having earned a reputation for meticulousness, competence, and a focus on tangible results. Outgoing Premier Zhu Rongji showed his esteem for Wen by entrusting him from 1998 with the task of overseeing agricultural, financial and environmental policies in the office of Vice-Premier, considered crucial as China prepared to enter the World Trade Organization. Wen served as Secretary of the Central Financial Work Commission from 1998 to 2002. By the end of the 1990s Wen and Zhang Peili were the main investor and founder of Ping An Insurance, which was established with the help of Hong Kong tycoon Cheng Yu-tung's family through real estate firm New World Development.[9]

Survival of Tiananmen purge

Wen's most significant political recovery occurred after accompanying Zhao on his visit to students demonstrating in Tiananmen Square in 1989. Unlike Zhao, who was purged from the party days later for "grave insubordination" and lived under house arrest in Beijing until his death in January 2005, Wen survived the political aftermath of the demonstrations.[5] Wen Jiabao is the only Chief of the Party's General Affairs Office to have served under three General Secretaries: Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang, and Jiang Zemin.[10]

First-term premiership

Wen entered the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, China's highest ruling council, in November 2002, ranked third out of nine members (After Hu Jintao and Wu Bangguo). During the transition of authority as Hu Jintao assumed the general secretary and presidency in November 2002 and March 2003 respectively, Wen's nomination as premier was confirmed by the National People's Congress with over 99% of the delegates' vote. After taking over as Premier, Wen oversaw the continuation of economic reforms and has been involved in shifting national goals from economic growth at all costs to growth which also emphasizes more egalitarian wealth, along with other social goals, such as public health and education. Wen's broad range of experience and expertise, especially cultivated while presiding over agricultural policies under Zhu Rongji, has been important as the "fourth generation" sought to revitalize the rural economy in regions left out by the past two decades of reform. In addition, the Chinese government under Wen has begun to focus on the social costs of economic development, which include damage to the environment and to workers' health. This more comprehensive definition of development was encapsulated into the idea of a xiaokang society.

Initially regarded as quiet and unassuming, Wen is said to be a good communicator and is known as a "man of the people." Wen has appeared to make great efforts to reach out to those who seem left out by two decades of stunning economic growth in rural and especially western China. Unlike Jiang Zemin and his protégés on the Politburo Standing Committee, who form the so-called "Shanghai clique", both Wen and Hu hail from, and have cultivated their political bases, in the vast Chinese interior. Many have noted the contrasts between Wen and Hu, "men of the people", and Jiang Zemin, the flamboyant, multilingual, and urbane former mayor of Shanghai, the country's most cosmopolitan city.

Like Hu Jintao, whose purported brilliance and photographic memory have facilitated his meteoric rise to power, Wen is regarded as well-equipped to preside over a vast bureaucracy in the world's most populated and perhaps most rapidly changing nation. In March 2003, the usually self-effacing Wen was quoted as saying, "The former Swiss ambassador to China once said that my brain is like a computer", he said. "Indeed, many statistics are stored in my brain."[11]

Mild-tempered and conciliatory,[5] especially compared to his predecessor, the tough, straight-talking Zhu Rongji, Wen's consensual management style has enabled him to generate a great deal of good will, but has also created some opponents who are in support of tougher policy decisions. Notably, Wen was widely known to have clashed with then-Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu over the central government's policies.[12]

Wen was involved in two major episodes involving public health. In early 2003, he was involved in ending the official inaction over the SARS crisis. On 1 December 2004, he became the first major Chinese official to publicly address the problem of AIDS, which has devastated parts of Yunnan and Henan and threatens to be a major burden on Chinese development.[13] Since May 2004, Wen made various visits to communities devastated by AIDS, trips shown prominently on national media. By showing these actions, Wen displayed an effort to reverse years of what many activists have described as a policy of denial and inaction. Furthermore, Wen is concerned about the health and safety of previous drug addicts; since March 2004, Wen had visited several drug addict treatment facilities in southern China and addressed the issue to the patients in person, recognizing that AIDS is more likely to be spread by drug abuse and the reuse of hypodermic syringes than by sexual contact.[14]

Wen was known to conduct visits to relatively poor areas of China's countryside randomly to avoid elaborate preparations to appease officials and hide the real situation, which is done often in China. At committee meetings of the State Council, Wen made it clear that the rural wealth disparity problem must be addressed. Along with general secretary Hu Jintao, the government focused on the "Three Rural Issues", namely, agriculture, the countryside, and farmers, and emphasized these core areas as requiring further work and development. The Hu-Wen administration abolished the thousand year old agricultural tax entirely in 2005, a bold move that significantly changed the rural economic model. But despite these initiatives, Wen has been criticized for allowing the urban-rural gap to actually increase during his tenure.[15]

Like Zhu Rongji, Wen is generally seen as a popular communist official with the Chinese public. His attitude is seemingly sincere and warm, triggering comparisons with former premier Zhou Enlai. Wen spent Chinese New Year in 2005 with a group of coal miners in a Shanxi coal mine. To many, Wen has gained the image of being the "people's premier", a populist, and an ordinary Chinese citizen who knows and understands ordinary people's needs.[16] In an annual meeting of the Chinese Authors Association, Wen spoke for over two hours to the delegates without looking at script. To foreign media, Wen was also the highest figure in the Chinese government to give free press conferences, often facing politically sensitive and difficult questions regarding subjects such as Taiwan Independence, Tibetan independence and human rights.

In December 2003, Wen visited the United States for the first time. During the trip, Wen was able to get President George W. Bush to issue what many saw as a mild rebuke to the then President of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Chen Shui-bian.[17] Wen has also been on visits to Canada and Australia, mostly on economic issues. Wen also visited Japan in April 2007 in what was termed the "de-thawing journey", where he characterized the relationship between the Asian powers as for "mutual benefit". He also met with Emperor Akihito and played baseball.[18]

On 15 March 2005, after the anti-secession law was passed, by a majority of 2,896 to nil, with two abstentions by the National People's Congress, Wen said: "We don't wish for foreign intervention, but we are not afraid of it." as an allusion to the United States' stance on Taiwan. That earned him a long round of applause that was rare even by Chinese standards.

On 5 March 2007, Wen announced plans to increase the military budget. By the end of 2007 the military budget rose 17.8 percent from the previous year's 45 billion dollars, creating tension with the United States.[19]

There were rumors about Wen's retirement and reputed clashes with former Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu before the party's 17th Party Congress. Some sources suggested that Wen would ask to retire due to fatigue. Ultimately, Wen stayed on the Premier job, and was responsible for the drafting of the important speech delivered by Party general secretary Hu Jintao outlining China's direction in the next five years.

In January 2008, while during the midst of severe snowstorms, Premier Wen made his way south and visited train stations in Changsha and Guangzhou, addressing the public while calming their mood for long train delays.[20]

Second-term premiership

 
Wen visiting Tsinghua University in May 2009.

Wen Jiabao was appointed to a second five-year term as premier on 16 March 2008, leading efforts to cool soaring inflation and showcase the country to the world at the 2008 Summer Olympics. He received fewer votes in favor than he did in 2003, a sign that the premiership can create enemies, even in the mere formalities of China's electoral system. Wen faced grave economic challenges as the world became increasingly affected by the U.S. economic crisis. Social stability and regional activism in China's restive hinterland regions also dominated Wen's policy agenda.[21] On 18 March 2008, during the press conference after the 2008 National People's Congress, Wen toed the government line in blaming supporters of the Dalai Lama for violence in Tibet, and said Chinese security forces exercised restraint in confronting rioting and unrest in the streets of Lhasa.[22] Wen acted as the spokesman of the Chinese government during the 2008 unrest in Tibet and refused to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and his followers, unless they chose to "give up all separatist activities." On 12 November 2010, during the 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony in Guangzhou, Wen became the first non-head of state to open the Asian Games.

In his final address as China's prime minister Wen warned of the nation's growing divisions between rich and poor, the hazards of unchecked environmental degradation and the risks posed by unbalanced economic growth.[23]

Response to 2008 Sichuan earthquake

Premier Wen Jiabao's popularity was boosted significantly when he went to the disaster area of the Sichuan a mere few hours after the disaster occurred.[5] He declared on national television that survivors are to be rescued as long as there is "a glimmer of hope". He was named the General Commander of the Earthquake Relief Efforts Committee immediately following the disaster. Following his visits to the area, images of the Premier were displayed on national media, numerous videos popped up on Chinese video sites making comparisons with former Premier Zhou Enlai, a largely popular figure who was also dubbed the "People's Premier". While party leaders are often shown on state television looking rather stiff and sitting motionlessly, Wen's on-site image and candid nature attracted a large popular following of Chinese citizens.[24]

In addition, there was speculation on internet forums as well as foreign media about the availability of the scientific prediction of the 2008 earthquake, and Wen was quoted as the only high-ranking Chinese leader to try to announce the scientific prediction and made it public, but was somehow prevented by other members of the Politburo Standing Committee.[25]

2009 NPC

Before the 2009 National People's Congress convened, on 28 February, Premier Wen Jiabao went online on video chat to answer queries hosted by China's official government website gov.cn and the official Xinhua News Agency. During the session Wen openly advocated for transparency of the government and remarked that he was somewhat nervous about the occasion. He received a wide range of questions from large numbers of online Chinese netizens and chose to answer selected questions about prominent economic issues, such as global financial breakdown.[26]

At the Congress, Wen also passed on a message of reassurance that GDP growth would not dip below 8% in 2009. He did not introduce a new stimulus package, and played down speculation that part of the 1.18 trillion RMB central government spending was not going directly into the economy. He also expressed concern about the security of Beijing's holdings in U.S. treasury debt. In a more unusual gesture, Wen also expressed interest in visiting Taiwan, stating he would "crawl there if [he] could not walk".[27]

Foreign policy

 
Wen at the 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos.

Wen Jiabao played a prominent role advancing China's foreign policy positions, and became increasingly visible on the world stage as China's economic power expanded. He went on an official working visit to North Korea on 4 October 2009, the first time a Chinese Premier has visited North Korea since Li Peng's visit in 1991.[28] He was greeted at the Pyongyang Airport by ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Il. Kim rarely greeted foreign dignitaries himself upon their arrival at the airport. Reuters believed this to be a show of solidarity from North Korea and that the country was serious in fostering a good relationship with China.[29] Wen also met with European Union leaders at a China-EU conference in late November 2009, where he refused calls for China to revalue its Yuan and re-examine its foreign exchange regime.[30] Wen remarked in Nanjing that "some countries are on the one hand pressuring China to appreciate its currency while on the other hand they are practicing trade protectionism against China in many different forms."[31]

 
Wen with US President Barack Obama in 2010.

In December, in what was seen as a mild rebuke of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the latter's working visit to China, Wen stated, "This is your first trip to China and this is the first meeting between the Chinese Premier and the Canadian Prime Minister in almost five years. Five years is too long a time for China Canada relations."[32] However, the interpretation that Wen rebuked Harper was later disputed in select newspaper editorials.[33] Wen also traveled to the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference, where he met with U.S. President Barack Obama twice to secure an 11th-hour non-binding agreement on emissions cuts.[34]

Political views

Domestic and foreign media variously described Wen as "populist" and in touch with the needs of ordinary people. On most social issues Wen seems to be moderate, with his brand of policies based around societal harmony as prescribed by the Scientific Development Concept, the leading ideology of the administration.

In the first term of his Premiership Wen's attitudes towards political reform seemed ambivalent. He remarked that "the socialist system will continue in China for the next 100 years",[35] although later, in a press conference at the 2007 National People's Congress, he stated that "democracy is one of the basic goals of the socialist system". Furthermore, in an interview in September 2008, Wen acknowledged that the democratic system in China needs to be improved, where the power "truly belongs to the people" through the construction of an independent judicial system and for the government to accept criticism from the people.[36] Wen, seen as a former ally of Premier Zhao Ziyang, was likely supportive of the latter's political rehabilitation; however, he rarely mentioned Zhao publicly during his premiership. When asked by CNN whether or not China will liberalize for free elections in the next 25 years, Wen stated that it would be "hard to predict." On the subject of Taiwan, he reputedly believed in gradual negotiations. On the subject of Tibet, he toed the party line in condemning the exiled Dalai Lama for inciting "separatist violence".

Science, democracy, rule of law, freedom and human rights are not concepts unique to capitalism. Rather, they are common values pursued by mankind in the long historical process and they are the fruits of human civilization. It is only that at different historical stages and in different countries, they are achieved through different means and in different forms.

— Wen Jiabao, Our Historical Tasks at the primary stage of socialism and Several Issues Concerning China's Foreign Policy[37]

Xinhua published articles in early 2007 on the direction of national development. The authorship of the articles was attributed separately to Wen Jiabao, particularly 26 February piece "Our Historical Tasks at the Primary Stage of Socialism and Several Issues Concerning China's Foreign Policy". The article advanced Wen's "peace doctrine" in global affairs, as well as what appeared to be inclinations towards fostering social democracy and advocacy of universal values. This was suspected as a sign that Wen has some differing viewpoints to the official party line – that values are relativistic and that "Chinese values" are not necessarily the same as "Western values," and that universal values is thus an empty concept. The debate continues to rage in Chinese political circles today, with neo-leftist thinkers such as Chinese Academy of Social Sciences President Chen Kuiyuan criticizing Wen's advocacy of universal values, saying that it relegates Chinese values and thinking as an inferior alternative to supposedly more "correct" Western norms.[38]

Wen is perceived by some observers as a liberal voice in China's ruling elite. Wen has openly talked about democracy and increased freedoms in his speeches and interviews with foreign correspondents, although much of it was deemed "sensitive" commentary and censored in state media. Wen remarked that "someone who speaks is not a criminal, someone who listens is duly warned" (Chinese: 言者无罪,闻者足戒, which alludes to the classical work Shi Jing) at an internal party conference in 2009, an event reported on Xinhua and other state networks. His remarks triggered debate from netizens, as it seemed to contravene the practices of the Communist Party, particularly in its suppression of dissent. Analysts noted that Wen's message was aimed at party members, and not necessarily the general public because Wen believes freedom of speech has deteriorated since Hu Jintao's accession to power and has negatively affected China's political landscape and international reputation.[39] His comments also ostensibly addressed the pervasive "fake-talking" present in Chinese political circles, in an attempt to curb systemic and institutional woes stemming from officials who are afraid to speak the truth.[39]

Wen has progressively amplified his liberal rhetoric as his Premiership continued, remarking in August 2010 that "Without political reform, China may lose what it has already achieved through economic restructuring".[40] Wen's comments were largely censored in state media, but he gained support from a group of some 23 party elders in October, who denounced the authorities' censorship of Wen's remarks in an open letter to the National People's Congress.[41] In an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN's Global Public Square television program aired in 2008, Wen made the following statement: "I have summed up my political ideals into the following four sentences. To let everyone lead a happy life with dignity. To let everyone feel safe and secure. To let the society be one with equity and justice. And to let everyone have confidence in the future. In spite of the various discussions and views in the society, and in spite of some resistance, I will act in accordance with these ideals unswervingly, and advance within the realm of my capabilities political restructuring. I will like to tell you the following two sentences to reinforce my view on this point. I will not fall in spite of the strong wind and harsh rain, and I will not yield until the last day of my life."[36] At the 2012 National People's Congress, Wen mentioned the word "reform" 70 times. He remarked that China must "press ahead with both economic structural reforms and political structural reforms, in particular reforms on the leadership system of the Party and the country."[42] There is also indication from party insiders that Wen has been pushing the case for the political rehabilitation of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.[43]

Public image and political influence

Wen has been described as a populist by most observers[who?]. His quick responses and visits to the scenes of various disasters, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, has earned him a considerable reputation as an approachable leader in touch with the experiences of the masses.[24] Wen engages regularly with locals on his trips to various provinces domestically as well as foreign visits; he played baseball and badminton with Japanese and South Korean citizens during visits to those countries. "Whether taking a stroll or swimming, it puts me at ease both mentally and physically and helps me handle my heavy workload," Wen had remarked.[44]

 
Wen at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2009

Wen's public image has been criticized by Chinese dissident Yu Jie, who charged that Wen's rhetoric is insincere and empty. Dissidents such as Yu allege that Wen's parade of appearances on Chinese media is a carefully managed public relations campaign designed to distract people from real issues.[45] They say that through use of Wen's charisma, the government hopes to showcase cosmetic solutions to much larger, systemic issues in order to placate public opinion. They also point out that Wen's words are rarely translated into deeds. On the other hand, Li Datong, a pro-democracy advocate, in an interview with the Associated Press, stated that "among the top Chinese leaders, who else speaks about democracy? Who else speaks about universal values and freedom?... Wen is the only one." Li believes that Wen is genuinely calling for democratic reform but he is powerless to make major decisions on the matter due to internal opposition.[46] Wen's family members have also been subject to gossip and scrutiny outside of mainland China. Taiwanese media zoomed in on his wife's alleged personal fortunes from her jewelry business,[47] while the Financial Times reported on a private equity firm called New Horizon Capital co-founded by Wen's son Wen Yunsong.[48]

When he was the head of the Chinese government, Wen Jiabao was considered to be one of the most powerful statesmen in the world. In 2006, he was named to the Time 100 list.[49] In 2009, Wen was named one of ten people and the only non-American in a list compiled by ABC of people who shaped the U.S. economy the most since 2000.[50] Wen also topped a list of "10 leaders to watch" in 2010 released 19 January by Eurasia Group, a global political risk research and consulting firm. Behind that U.S. President Barack Obama came second.[51][52] In August 2010, Wen was named "The Man of the People" by Newsweek.[53] In October 2010, Wen Jiabao was a person selected on the Time's cover that the title was "Wen's World".[54] In 2011, Wen was ranked 14th in Forbes Magazine's List of The World's Most Powerful People.[55]

In 2021, Chinese authorities censored a tribute that Wen Jiabao had written for his mother in the small paper Macau Herald.[56]

Personal life and family wealth

Wen Jiabao is married to Zhang Peili, whom he met while working as a government geologist in Gansu. Zhang is a jewelry expert and has played a prominent role in the nation's diamond trade. She rarely appears with Wen in public. In October 2012, The New York Times reported that Wen's relatives have controlled financial assets then worth at least US$2.7 billion during his time as Premier.[57] In response, a Chinese government spokesman stated that the report "blackens China's name and has ulterior motives", and the websites of The New York Times were censored in mainland China.[58] Lawyers representing Wen's family also denied the report's content.[59] Wen personally wrote a letter submitted to the Politburo Standing Committee asking for an investigation to the claim and willing to make his family assets public. Professor Zhu Lijia, of the Chinese Academy of Governance, suggest that this is Wen's last try to push the passing of the "Sunshine law", which would require government officials to release their financial information to the public.[60] Professor Jean-Pierre Cabestan of Hong Kong's Baptist University questioned the timing of the report and suggested "It looks very much [like] some people close to Bo Xilai are trying to throw mud at the reformists".[61]

Wen is said to have an introverted personality.[citation needed] He has stated that his one regret so far in life was never having learned to drive a manual transmission car. Wen is known for his adept use of Chinese poetry to convey political and diplomatic messages, when responding to journalists, or simply to begin a speech.[62]

See also

References

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  49. ^ . Time. 2006. Archived from the original on 2 May 2006.
  50. ^ "Page 3: Ten Most Powerful Economic Figures of the Decade". ABC News. from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  51. ^ "Chinese Premier Named 'World Leader to Watch' for 2010". The Chosun Ilbo. from the original on 24 January 2010. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  52. ^ 梁京评论:温家宝演累了 14 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine 17 March 2009
  53. ^ The Man of the People Wen Jiabao 19 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Newsweek, 6 August 2010.
  54. ^ . Time. Vol. 176, no. 16. 18 October 2010. Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  55. ^ Donald Kirk. "Wen Jiabao". Forbes. from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  56. ^ Reuters. "China Censors Ex-Premier's Article Ahead of Communist Party Anniversary". www.usnews.com. U.S. News & World Report. from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  57. ^ David Barboza, "Billions in Hidden Riches for Family of Chinese Leader" 22 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine, The New York Times, 25 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  58. ^ Tania Branigan, "Wen Jiabao's £1.68bn family wealth: China furious at US exposé" 26 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine, The Guardian, 26 October 2012. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
  59. ^ South China Morning Post (2012). Statement from lawyers of Premier Wen Jiabao's family obtained by the Sunday Morning Post 28 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 28 October 2012.
  60. ^ "Premier Wen Jiabao calls for party probe into claims of family's 'hidden fortune'". South China Morning Post. 5 November 2012. from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2012.
  61. ^ Moore, Malcolm (26 October 2012). "China censors reports of Wen Jiabao's vast family fortune". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  62. ^ Lam, Chinese Politics in the Hu Jintao Era

External links

  • Appearances on C-SPAN
  • "Wen Jiabao's family amasses wealth of more than $2.7 billion USD" New York Times, 25 October 2012
  • [Chinese: 再回兴义忆耀邦]: an essay written by Wen as a eulogy of Hu Yaobang. The article originally appeared in The People's Daily on 15 April 2010.
  • Wen Jiabao at Facebook
  • Wen Jiabao biography @ China Vitae, the web's largest online database of China VIPs
  • The Age – Who is Wen Jiabao?
  • Corpus of Political Speeches :Free access to political speeches by Wen Jiabao and other Chinese politicians, developed by Hong Kong Baptist University Library
Government offices
Preceded by Premier of the People's Republic of China
2003–2013
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of the National Defence Mobilisation Commission
2003–2013
New office Director of the National Energy Commission
2010–2013
Party political offices
Preceded by Chief of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party
1986–1993
Succeeded by
Preceded by Director of the Central Institutional Organization Commission
2003–2013
Succeeded by
Order of precedence
Preceded byas Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress Rank of the Chinese Communist Party
16th, 17th Politburo Standing Committee
Succeeded byas Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

jiabao, footballer, footballer, this, chinese, name, family, name, wēn, born, september, 1942, chinese, retired, politician, served, premier, china, from, 2003, 2013, capacity, head, government, regarded, leading, figure, behind, china, economic, policy, from,. For the footballer see Wen Jiabao footballer In this Chinese name the family name is Wen 温 Wen Jiabao born 15 September 1942 is a Chinese retired politician who served as the premier of China from 2003 to 2013 In his capacity as head of government Wen was regarded as the leading figure behind China s economic policy From 2002 to 2012 he held membership in the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party the country s de facto top power organ where he was ranked third out of nine members and after general secretary Hu Jintao and Wu Bangguo chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People s Congress Wen Jiabao温家宝Wen in 20126th Premier of the People s Republic of ChinaIn office 15 March 2003 14 March 2013Vice PremierCabinet I 2003 08 Huang JuWu YiZeng PeiyanHui LiangyuCabinet II 2008 13 Li KeqiangHui LiangyuZhang Dejiang Wang QishanLeaderHu JintaoPreceded byZhu RongjiSucceeded byLi KeqiangVice Premier of the People s Republic of ChinaIn office 18 March 1998 14 March 2003Serving with Li Lanqing Qian Qichen Wu BangguoPremierZhu RongjiPreceded byLi LanqingSucceeded byHui LiangyuDirector of the General Office of the Chinese Communist PartyIn office April 1986 March 1993General SecretaryHu YaobangZhao ZiyangJiang ZeminPreceded byWang ZhaoguoSucceeded byZeng QinghongPersonal detailsBorn 1942 09 15 15 September 1942 age 80 Tiensin ChinaPolitical partyChinese Communist Party 1965 Present SpouseZhang PeiliChildrenWen YunsongWen Ruchun Lily Chang Alma materChina University of Geosciences UG Grad Wen Jiabao Wen Jiabao in Simplified top and Traditional bottom Chinese charactersSimplified Chinese温家宝Traditional Chinese溫家寶TranscriptionsStandard MandarinHanyu PinyinWen JiabǎoWade GilesWen1 Chia1 pao3IPA we n tɕja pa ʊ Yue CantoneseYale RomanizationWan Gaa bouJyutpingWan1 Gaa1 bou2IPA wɐ n ka ː po u Southern MinHokkien POJUn Ka poHe worked as the chief of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party between 1986 and 1993 and accompanied Party general secretary Zhao Ziyang as Zhao s personal secretary to Tiananmen Square during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre where Zhao called on protesting students to leave the square and after which Zhao was removed from his position within the Party In 1998 Wen was promoted to the post of Vice Premier under Premier Zhu Rongji his mentor and oversaw the broad portfolios of agriculture and finance Wen was dubbed the people s premier by both domestic and foreign media 1 Instead of concentrating on GDP growth in large cities and rich coastal areas Wen advocated for advancing policies considered more favorable towards farmers and migrant workers Wen s government reduced agricultural taxes and pursued ambitious infrastructure projects Following the global financial crisis of 2008 Wen s government injected four trillion yuan into the economy as part of a stimulus program Seen as the leading member of the reform wing of the Communist Party Wen s family came under scrutiny by investigative journalists for having accumulated a massive fortune during his time in government casting a cloud over his legacy shortly prior to his retirement 2 3 4 He left office in 2013 and was succeeded by Li Keqiang Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Early career 2 1 Survival of Tiananmen purge 3 First term premiership 4 Second term premiership 4 1 Response to 2008 Sichuan earthquake 4 2 2009 NPC 4 3 Foreign policy 5 Political views 6 Public image and political influence 7 Personal life and family wealth 8 See also 9 References 10 External linksEarly life and education Edit Wen at the China University of Geosciences in 1960 Born in Beichen district of the City of Tianjin Wen Jiabao went to the Nankai High School from which the first premier of the People s Republic of China Zhou Enlai graduated Wen attended the Beijing Institute of Geology now the China University of Geosciences for undergraduate education with a major in geological surveying and prospecting from 1960 to 1965 Afterwards he pursued his graduate studies in geological structure from 1965 to 1968 5 6 Wen joined the Chinese Communist Party when he was a college student in April 1965 5 7 Early career EditAfter the completion of his graduate studies he began his career in the geology bureau of Gansu province From 1968 to 1978 he presided over the Geomechanics Survey Team under the Gansu Provincial Geological Bureau and head of its political section Wen succeeded in office rising as chief of the Gansu Provincial Geological Bureau and later as Vice minister of Geology and Mineral Resources Wen was discovered by then CCP general secretary Hu Yaobang and joined the ranks of the Central Committee and Politburo There was some public speculation after 1989 over whether Wen was closer to Hu Yaobang or Zhao Ziyang but Wen implicitly confirmed that he was a protege of Hu by the release of his 2010 article Recalling Hu Yaobang when I returned to Xingyi 8 After Wen was promoted to work in Beijing he served as Chief of the Party s General Affairs Office an organ that oversaw day to day operations of the party s leaders He remained in the post for eight years Wen has built a network of patronage during his career Throughout this period Wen was said to be a strong administrator and technocrat having earned a reputation for meticulousness competence and a focus on tangible results Outgoing Premier Zhu Rongji showed his esteem for Wen by entrusting him from 1998 with the task of overseeing agricultural financial and environmental policies in the office of Vice Premier considered crucial as China prepared to enter the World Trade Organization Wen served as Secretary of the Central Financial Work Commission from 1998 to 2002 By the end of the 1990s Wen and Zhang Peili were the main investor and founder of Ping An Insurance which was established with the help of Hong Kong tycoon Cheng Yu tung s family through real estate firm New World Development 9 Survival of Tiananmen purge Edit Wen s most significant political recovery occurred after accompanying Zhao on his visit to students demonstrating in Tiananmen Square in 1989 Unlike Zhao who was purged from the party days later for grave insubordination and lived under house arrest in Beijing until his death in January 2005 Wen survived the political aftermath of the demonstrations 5 Wen Jiabao is the only Chief of the Party s General Affairs Office to have served under three General Secretaries Hu Yaobang Zhao Ziyang and Jiang Zemin 10 First term premiership EditWen entered the Politburo Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Party China s highest ruling council in November 2002 ranked third out of nine members After Hu Jintao and Wu Bangguo During the transition of authority as Hu Jintao assumed the general secretary and presidency in November 2002 and March 2003 respectively Wen s nomination as premier was confirmed by the National People s Congress with over 99 of the delegates vote After taking over as Premier Wen oversaw the continuation of economic reforms and has been involved in shifting national goals from economic growth at all costs to growth which also emphasizes more egalitarian wealth along with other social goals such as public health and education Wen s broad range of experience and expertise especially cultivated while presiding over agricultural policies under Zhu Rongji has been important as the fourth generation sought to revitalize the rural economy in regions left out by the past two decades of reform In addition the Chinese government under Wen has begun to focus on the social costs of economic development which include damage to the environment and to workers health This more comprehensive definition of development was encapsulated into the idea of a xiaokang society Initially regarded as quiet and unassuming Wen is said to be a good communicator and is known as a man of the people Wen has appeared to make great efforts to reach out to those who seem left out by two decades of stunning economic growth in rural and especially western China Unlike Jiang Zemin and his proteges on the Politburo Standing Committee who form the so called Shanghai clique both Wen and Hu hail from and have cultivated their political bases in the vast Chinese interior Many have noted the contrasts between Wen and Hu men of the people and Jiang Zemin the flamboyant multilingual and urbane former mayor of Shanghai the country s most cosmopolitan city Like Hu Jintao whose purported brilliance and photographic memory have facilitated his meteoric rise to power Wen is regarded as well equipped to preside over a vast bureaucracy in the world s most populated and perhaps most rapidly changing nation In March 2003 the usually self effacing Wen was quoted as saying The former Swiss ambassador to China once said that my brain is like a computer he said Indeed many statistics are stored in my brain 11 Mild tempered and conciliatory 5 especially compared to his predecessor the tough straight talking Zhu Rongji Wen s consensual management style has enabled him to generate a great deal of good will but has also created some opponents who are in support of tougher policy decisions Notably Wen was widely known to have clashed with then Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu over the central government s policies 12 Wen was involved in two major episodes involving public health In early 2003 he was involved in ending the official inaction over the SARS crisis On 1 December 2004 he became the first major Chinese official to publicly address the problem of AIDS which has devastated parts of Yunnan and Henan and threatens to be a major burden on Chinese development 13 Since May 2004 Wen made various visits to communities devastated by AIDS trips shown prominently on national media By showing these actions Wen displayed an effort to reverse years of what many activists have described as a policy of denial and inaction Furthermore Wen is concerned about the health and safety of previous drug addicts since March 2004 Wen had visited several drug addict treatment facilities in southern China and addressed the issue to the patients in person recognizing that AIDS is more likely to be spread by drug abuse and the reuse of hypodermic syringes than by sexual contact 14 Wen was known to conduct visits to relatively poor areas of China s countryside randomly to avoid elaborate preparations to appease officials and hide the real situation which is done often in China At committee meetings of the State Council Wen made it clear that the rural wealth disparity problem must be addressed Along with general secretary Hu Jintao the government focused on the Three Rural Issues namely agriculture the countryside and farmers and emphasized these core areas as requiring further work and development The Hu Wen administration abolished the thousand year old agricultural tax entirely in 2005 a bold move that significantly changed the rural economic model But despite these initiatives Wen has been criticized for allowing the urban rural gap to actually increase during his tenure 15 Like Zhu Rongji Wen is generally seen as a popular communist official with the Chinese public His attitude is seemingly sincere and warm triggering comparisons with former premier Zhou Enlai Wen spent Chinese New Year in 2005 with a group of coal miners in a Shanxi coal mine To many Wen has gained the image of being the people s premier a populist and an ordinary Chinese citizen who knows and understands ordinary people s needs 16 In an annual meeting of the Chinese Authors Association Wen spoke for over two hours to the delegates without looking at script To foreign media Wen was also the highest figure in the Chinese government to give free press conferences often facing politically sensitive and difficult questions regarding subjects such as Taiwan Independence Tibetan independence and human rights In December 2003 Wen visited the United States for the first time During the trip Wen was able to get President George W Bush to issue what many saw as a mild rebuke to the then President of the Republic of China Taiwan Chen Shui bian 17 Wen has also been on visits to Canada and Australia mostly on economic issues Wen also visited Japan in April 2007 in what was termed the de thawing journey where he characterized the relationship between the Asian powers as for mutual benefit He also met with Emperor Akihito and played baseball 18 On 15 March 2005 after the anti secession law was passed by a majority of 2 896 to nil with two abstentions by the National People s Congress Wen said We don t wish for foreign intervention but we are not afraid of it as an allusion to the United States stance on Taiwan That earned him a long round of applause that was rare even by Chinese standards On 5 March 2007 Wen announced plans to increase the military budget By the end of 2007 the military budget rose 17 8 percent from the previous year s 45 billion dollars creating tension with the United States 19 There were rumors about Wen s retirement and reputed clashes with former Shanghai party chief Chen Liangyu before the party s 17th Party Congress Some sources suggested that Wen would ask to retire due to fatigue Ultimately Wen stayed on the Premier job and was responsible for the drafting of the important speech delivered by Party general secretary Hu Jintao outlining China s direction in the next five years In January 2008 while during the midst of severe snowstorms Premier Wen made his way south and visited train stations in Changsha and Guangzhou addressing the public while calming their mood for long train delays 20 Second term premiership Edit Wen visiting Tsinghua University in May 2009 Wen Jiabao was appointed to a second five year term as premier on 16 March 2008 leading efforts to cool soaring inflation and showcase the country to the world at the 2008 Summer Olympics He received fewer votes in favor than he did in 2003 a sign that the premiership can create enemies even in the mere formalities of China s electoral system Wen faced grave economic challenges as the world became increasingly affected by the U S economic crisis Social stability and regional activism in China s restive hinterland regions also dominated Wen s policy agenda 21 On 18 March 2008 during the press conference after the 2008 National People s Congress Wen toed the government line in blaming supporters of the Dalai Lama for violence in Tibet and said Chinese security forces exercised restraint in confronting rioting and unrest in the streets of Lhasa 22 Wen acted as the spokesman of the Chinese government during the 2008 unrest in Tibet and refused to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and his followers unless they chose to give up all separatist activities On 12 November 2010 during the 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony in Guangzhou Wen became the first non head of state to open the Asian Games In his final address as China s prime minister Wen warned of the nation s growing divisions between rich and poor the hazards of unchecked environmental degradation and the risks posed by unbalanced economic growth 23 Response to 2008 Sichuan earthquake Edit See also 2008 Sichuan earthquake Rescue efforts Premier Wen Jiabao s popularity was boosted significantly when he went to the disaster area of the Sichuan a mere few hours after the disaster occurred 5 He declared on national television that survivors are to be rescued as long as there is a glimmer of hope He was named the General Commander of the Earthquake Relief Efforts Committee immediately following the disaster Following his visits to the area images of the Premier were displayed on national media numerous videos popped up on Chinese video sites making comparisons with former Premier Zhou Enlai a largely popular figure who was also dubbed the People s Premier While party leaders are often shown on state television looking rather stiff and sitting motionlessly Wen s on site image and candid nature attracted a large popular following of Chinese citizens 24 In addition there was speculation on internet forums as well as foreign media about the availability of the scientific prediction of the 2008 earthquake and Wen was quoted as the only high ranking Chinese leader to try to announce the scientific prediction and made it public but was somehow prevented by other members of the Politburo Standing Committee 25 2009 NPC Edit Before the 2009 National People s Congress convened on 28 February Premier Wen Jiabao went online on video chat to answer queries hosted by China s official government website gov cn and the official Xinhua News Agency During the session Wen openly advocated for transparency of the government and remarked that he was somewhat nervous about the occasion He received a wide range of questions from large numbers of online Chinese netizens and chose to answer selected questions about prominent economic issues such as global financial breakdown 26 At the Congress Wen also passed on a message of reassurance that GDP growth would not dip below 8 in 2009 He did not introduce a new stimulus package and played down speculation that part of the 1 18 trillion RMB central government spending was not going directly into the economy He also expressed concern about the security of Beijing s holdings in U S treasury debt In a more unusual gesture Wen also expressed interest in visiting Taiwan stating he would crawl there if he could not walk 27 Foreign policy Edit Wen at the 2009 World Economic Forum in Davos Wen Jiabao played a prominent role advancing China s foreign policy positions and became increasingly visible on the world stage as China s economic power expanded He went on an official working visit to North Korea on 4 October 2009 the first time a Chinese Premier has visited North Korea since Li Peng s visit in 1991 28 He was greeted at the Pyongyang Airport by ailing North Korean leader Kim Jong Il Kim rarely greeted foreign dignitaries himself upon their arrival at the airport Reuters believed this to be a show of solidarity from North Korea and that the country was serious in fostering a good relationship with China 29 Wen also met with European Union leaders at a China EU conference in late November 2009 where he refused calls for China to revalue its Yuan and re examine its foreign exchange regime 30 Wen remarked in Nanjing that some countries are on the one hand pressuring China to appreciate its currency while on the other hand they are practicing trade protectionism against China in many different forms 31 Wen with US President Barack Obama in 2010 In December in what was seen as a mild rebuke of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper during the latter s working visit to China Wen stated This is your first trip to China and this is the first meeting between the Chinese Premier and the Canadian Prime Minister in almost five years Five years is too long a time for China Canada relations 32 However the interpretation that Wen rebuked Harper was later disputed in select newspaper editorials 33 Wen also traveled to the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference where he met with U S President Barack Obama twice to secure an 11th hour non binding agreement on emissions cuts 34 Political views EditDomestic and foreign media variously described Wen as populist and in touch with the needs of ordinary people On most social issues Wen seems to be moderate with his brand of policies based around societal harmony as prescribed by the Scientific Development Concept the leading ideology of the administration In the first term of his Premiership Wen s attitudes towards political reform seemed ambivalent He remarked that the socialist system will continue in China for the next 100 years 35 although later in a press conference at the 2007 National People s Congress he stated that democracy is one of the basic goals of the socialist system Furthermore in an interview in September 2008 Wen acknowledged that the democratic system in China needs to be improved where the power truly belongs to the people through the construction of an independent judicial system and for the government to accept criticism from the people 36 Wen seen as a former ally of Premier Zhao Ziyang was likely supportive of the latter s political rehabilitation however he rarely mentioned Zhao publicly during his premiership When asked by CNN whether or not China will liberalize for free elections in the next 25 years Wen stated that it would be hard to predict On the subject of Taiwan he reputedly believed in gradual negotiations On the subject of Tibet he toed the party line in condemning the exiled Dalai Lama for inciting separatist violence Science democracy rule of law freedom and human rights are not concepts unique to capitalism Rather they are common values pursued by mankind in the long historical process and they are the fruits of human civilization It is only that at different historical stages and in different countries they are achieved through different means and in different forms Wen Jiabao Our Historical Tasks at the primary stage of socialism and Several Issues Concerning China s Foreign Policy 37 Xinhua published articles in early 2007 on the direction of national development The authorship of the articles was attributed separately to Wen Jiabao particularly 26 February piece Our Historical Tasks at the Primary Stage of Socialism and Several Issues Concerning China s Foreign Policy The article advanced Wen s peace doctrine in global affairs as well as what appeared to be inclinations towards fostering social democracy and advocacy of universal values This was suspected as a sign that Wen has some differing viewpoints to the official party line that values are relativistic and that Chinese values are not necessarily the same as Western values and that universal values is thus an empty concept The debate continues to rage in Chinese political circles today with neo leftist thinkers such as Chinese Academy of Social Sciences President Chen Kuiyuan criticizing Wen s advocacy of universal values saying that it relegates Chinese values and thinking as an inferior alternative to supposedly more correct Western norms 38 Wen is perceived by some observers as a liberal voice in China s ruling elite Wen has openly talked about democracy and increased freedoms in his speeches and interviews with foreign correspondents although much of it was deemed sensitive commentary and censored in state media Wen remarked that someone who speaks is not a criminal someone who listens is duly warned Chinese 言者无罪 闻者足戒 which alludes to the classical work Shi Jing at an internal party conference in 2009 an event reported on Xinhua and other state networks His remarks triggered debate from netizens as it seemed to contravene the practices of the Communist Party particularly in its suppression of dissent Analysts noted that Wen s message was aimed at party members and not necessarily the general public because Wen believes freedom of speech has deteriorated since Hu Jintao s accession to power and has negatively affected China s political landscape and international reputation 39 His comments also ostensibly addressed the pervasive fake talking present in Chinese political circles in an attempt to curb systemic and institutional woes stemming from officials who are afraid to speak the truth 39 Wen has progressively amplified his liberal rhetoric as his Premiership continued remarking in August 2010 that Without political reform China may lose what it has already achieved through economic restructuring 40 Wen s comments were largely censored in state media but he gained support from a group of some 23 party elders in October who denounced the authorities censorship of Wen s remarks in an open letter to the National People s Congress 41 In an interview with Fareed Zakaria on CNN s Global Public Square television program aired in 2008 Wen made the following statement I have summed up my political ideals into the following four sentences To let everyone lead a happy life with dignity To let everyone feel safe and secure To let the society be one with equity and justice And to let everyone have confidence in the future In spite of the various discussions and views in the society and in spite of some resistance I will act in accordance with these ideals unswervingly and advance within the realm of my capabilities political restructuring I will like to tell you the following two sentences to reinforce my view on this point I will not fall in spite of the strong wind and harsh rain and I will not yield until the last day of my life 36 At the 2012 National People s Congress Wen mentioned the word reform 70 times He remarked that China must press ahead with both economic structural reforms and political structural reforms in particular reforms on the leadership system of the Party and the country 42 There is also indication from party insiders that Wen has been pushing the case for the political rehabilitation of the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 43 Public image and political influence EditWen has been described as a populist by most observers who His quick responses and visits to the scenes of various disasters including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake has earned him a considerable reputation as an approachable leader in touch with the experiences of the masses 24 Wen engages regularly with locals on his trips to various provinces domestically as well as foreign visits he played baseball and badminton with Japanese and South Korean citizens during visits to those countries Whether taking a stroll or swimming it puts me at ease both mentally and physically and helps me handle my heavy workload Wen had remarked 44 Wen at the World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland in 2009 Wen s public image has been criticized by Chinese dissident Yu Jie who charged that Wen s rhetoric is insincere and empty Dissidents such as Yu allege that Wen s parade of appearances on Chinese media is a carefully managed public relations campaign designed to distract people from real issues 45 They say that through use of Wen s charisma the government hopes to showcase cosmetic solutions to much larger systemic issues in order to placate public opinion They also point out that Wen s words are rarely translated into deeds On the other hand Li Datong a pro democracy advocate in an interview with the Associated Press stated that among the top Chinese leaders who else speaks about democracy Who else speaks about universal values and freedom Wen is the only one Li believes that Wen is genuinely calling for democratic reform but he is powerless to make major decisions on the matter due to internal opposition 46 Wen s family members have also been subject to gossip and scrutiny outside of mainland China Taiwanese media zoomed in on his wife s alleged personal fortunes from her jewelry business 47 while the Financial Times reported on a private equity firm called New Horizon Capital co founded by Wen s son Wen Yunsong 48 When he was the head of the Chinese government Wen Jiabao was considered to be one of the most powerful statesmen in the world In 2006 he was named to the Time 100 list 49 In 2009 Wen was named one of ten people and the only non American in a list compiled by ABC of people who shaped the U S economy the most since 2000 50 Wen also topped a list of 10 leaders to watch in 2010 released 19 January by Eurasia Group a global political risk research and consulting firm Behind that U S President Barack Obama came second 51 52 In August 2010 Wen was named The Man of the People by Newsweek 53 In October 2010 Wen Jiabao was a person selected on the Time s cover that the title was Wen s World 54 In 2011 Wen was ranked 14th in Forbes Magazine s List of The World s Most Powerful People 55 In 2021 Chinese authorities censored a tribute that Wen Jiabao had written for his mother in the small paper Macau Herald 56 Personal life and family wealth EditWen Jiabao is married to Zhang Peili whom he met while working as a government geologist in Gansu Zhang is a jewelry expert and has played a prominent role in the nation s diamond trade She rarely appears with Wen in public In October 2012 The New York Times reported that Wen s relatives have controlled financial assets then worth at least US 2 7 billion during his time as Premier 57 In response a Chinese government spokesman stated that the report blackens China s name and has ulterior motives and the websites of The New York Times were censored in mainland China 58 Lawyers representing Wen s family also denied the report s content 59 Wen personally wrote a letter submitted to the Politburo Standing Committee asking for an investigation to the claim and willing to make his family assets public Professor Zhu Lijia of the Chinese Academy of Governance suggest that this is Wen s last try to push the passing of the Sunshine law which would require government officials to release their financial information to the public 60 Professor Jean Pierre Cabestan of Hong Kong s Baptist University questioned the timing of the report and suggested It looks very much like some people close to Bo Xilai are trying to throw mud at the reformists 61 Wen is said to have an introverted personality citation needed He has stated that his one regret so far in life was never having learned to drive a manual transmission car Wen is known for his adept use of Chinese poetry to convey political and diplomatic messages when responding to journalists or simply to begin a speech 62 See also EditPolitics of the People s Republic of China History of the People s Republic of China 2002 present Hu Wen AdministrationReferences Edit Wen Jiabao re elected Chinese Premier Rediff com 16 March 2008 Archived from the original on 31 December 2009 Retrieved 17 May 2008 Brother Wristwatch and Grandpa Wen Chinese Kleptocracy The New Yorker 25 October 2012 Archived from the original on 26 October 2020 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could not walk Xinhua News Agency 13 March 2009 Archived from the original on 22 July 2010 Retrieved 10 August 2010 China s Wen arrives in Pyongyang told N Korea open to nuke talks Beijing Associated Press 4 October 2009 Chinese premier meets NK leader BBC News 4 October 2009 Archived from the original on 5 October 2009 Retrieved 4 October 2009 Wheeler Carolynne 30 November 2009 China refuses to budge on EU plea to boost yuan The Globe and Mail Canada Archived from the original on 17 December 2009 Retrieved 20 December 2009 Bougon Francois 30 November 2009 China s Wen says yuan stability is vital Nanjing Agence France Presse Archived from the original on 26 January 2010 Retrieved 20 December 2009 Transcript of Harper s exchange with Premier Wen The Globe and Mail Canada 3 December 2009 Archived from the original on 9 December 2009 Retrieved 20 December 2009 Harper was not Rebuked National Post Canada 9 December 2009 Retrieved 28 December 2009 dead link Obama and Wen take historic talks to brink The Sydney Morning Herald Copenhagen Agence France Presse 20 December 2009 Archived from the original on 21 December 2009 Retrieved 20 December 2009 Spencer Richard 28 February 2007 China promises socialism for 100 years The Daily Telegraph a b Interview with Wen Jiabao Archived 5 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine CNN 28 September 2008 Wen Jiabao Our Historical Tasks at the Primary Stage of Socialism and Several Issues Concerning China s Foreign Policy Beijing Review Xinhua News Agency Archived from the original on 30 September 2011 Retrieved 13 June 2010 中国再起左右两派论战 China s Left Right Divide Resurfaces Duowei Archived from the original on 12 June 2010 Retrieved 11 June 2010 a b 温家宝 言者无罪 引热议 Discussions over Wen Jiabao s Comments in Chinese Radio Free Asia 21 November 2009 Archived from the original on 16 April 2015 Retrieved 29 November 2009 Bodeen Christopher China s Wen inspiring debate with calls for reform Yahoo Associated Press Archived from the original on 17 October 2010 Retrieved 15 January 2017 Wang Zhicheng 14 October 2010 Party members call for an end to press censorship backing Wen Jiabao Asianews it Archived from the original on 19 October 2010 Retrieved 14 October 2010 Sainsbury Michael 17 March 2012 Wen Jiabao s remarkable road to reform The Australian Archived from the original on 20 March 2012 Retrieved 20 March 2012 Anderlini Jamil 20 March 2012 Wen lays groundwork for Tiananmen Healing to Begin Financial Times Moore Malcolm 31 May 2010 Wen Jiabao goes for a jog to take his mind off negotiations The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 12 January 2022 Foster Peter 17 August 2010 Book by Chinese dissident brands Wen Jiabao a fraud The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 12 January 2022 Wong Gillian 9 August 2010 Book says Chinese premier is no reformist Boston Globe Associated Press Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 16 April 2020 China Times 2 November 2007 金融时报 生而为钱的中国太子党们 纵览中国 chinainperspective org Archived from the original on 25 July 2011 Retrieved 29 July 2010 The 2006 TIME 100 Time 2006 Archived from the original on 2 May 2006 Page 3 Ten Most Powerful Economic Figures of the Decade ABC News Archived from the original on 18 September 2020 Retrieved 16 April 2020 Chinese Premier Named World Leader to Watch for 2010 The Chosun Ilbo Archived from the original on 24 January 2010 Retrieved 21 January 2010 梁京评论 温家宝演累了 Archived 14 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine 17 March 2009 The Man of the People Wen Jiabao Archived 19 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine Newsweek 6 August 2010 Wen s World Time Vol 176 no 16 18 October 2010 Archived from the original on 9 October 2010 Retrieved 29 June 2017 Donald Kirk Wen Jiabao Forbes Archived from the original on 13 January 2017 Retrieved 18 September 2017 Reuters China Censors Ex Premier s Article Ahead of Communist Party Anniversary www usnews com U S News amp World Report Archived from the original on 28 April 2021 Retrieved 28 April 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a last1 has generic name help David Barboza Billions in Hidden Riches for Family of Chinese Leader Archived 22 August 2018 at the Wayback Machine The New York Times 25 October 2012 Retrieved 27 October 2012 Tania Branigan Wen Jiabao s 1 68bn family wealth China furious at US expose Archived 26 July 2016 at the Wayback Machine The Guardian 26 October 2012 Retrieved 27 October 2012 South China Morning Post 2012 Statement from lawyers of Premier Wen Jiabao s family obtained by the Sunday Morning Post Archived 28 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 28 October 2012 Premier Wen Jiabao calls for party probe into claims of family s hidden fortune South China Morning Post 5 November 2012 Archived from the original on 7 November 2012 Retrieved 8 November 2012 Moore Malcolm 26 October 2012 China censors reports of Wen Jiabao s vast family fortune The Daily Telegraph London Archived from the original on 12 January 2022 Lam Chinese Politics in the Hu Jintao EraExternal links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to 温家宝 Wikiquote has quotations related to Wen Jiabao Appearances on C SPAN Wen Jiabao s family amasses wealth of more than 2 7 billion USD New York Times 25 October 2012 Recalling Hu Yaobang When I Return to Xingyi Chinese 再回兴义忆耀邦 an essay written by Wen as a eulogy of Hu Yaobang The article originally appeared in The People s Daily on 15 April 2010 Wen Jiabao at Facebook Wen Jiabao biography China Vitae the web s largest online database of China VIPs The Age Who is Wen Jiabao How to pronounce Wen Jiabao Wen says China s reforms irreversible Corpus of Political Speeches Free access to political speeches by Wen Jiabao and other Chinese politicians developed by Hong Kong Baptist University LibraryGovernment officesPreceded byZhu Rongji Premier of the People s Republic of China2003 2013 Succeeded byLi KeqiangPreceded byZhu Rongji Director of the National Defence Mobilisation Commission2003 2013New office Director of the National Energy Commission2010 2013Party political officesPreceded byWang Zhaoguo Chief of the General Office of the Chinese Communist Party1986 1993 Succeeded byZeng QinghongPreceded byZhu Rongji Director of the Central Institutional Organization Commission2003 2013 Succeeded byLi KeqiangOrder of precedencePreceded byWu Bangguoas Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People s Congress Rank of the Chinese Communist Party16th 17th Politburo Standing Committee Succeeded byJia Qinglinas Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People s Political Consultative Conference Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Wen Jiabao amp oldid 1152492856, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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