Li Peng

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Li Peng (1928– ) Chinese statesman, premier (1988–98). Zhou Enlai adopted him after his father was executed (1930) by the Kuomintang. Li was elected to the politburo in 1985. His support for Deng Xiaoping's policy of economic liberalization, while maintaining the Party's tight grip on politics and society, led him to succeed Zhao Ziyang as premier. In 1989, Li declared martial law during the student protests in Tiananmen Square, Beijing. Zhu Rongji succeeded him as premier. See also Jiang Zemin

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