Premier Li was ranked only second to Party general secretary Xi Jinping among 7 members of the 18th and 19th Politburo Standing Committee, top decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

During the 1st Session of the 12th National People's Congress in March 2013, Li Keqiang was appointed by new President Xi Jinping to replace Wen Jiabao as Premier of the State Council, China's head of government, according to the approval of the National People's Congress.

[2] During the 1st Session of the 13th National People's Congress in March 2018, Li Keqiang was appointed by President Xi according to the approval of the National People's Congress to re-serve as the Premier.

[3] According to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the President nominates the Premier of the State Council, and the Premier nominates the Vice-Premiers, State Councilors and Ministers.

The nominations were approved by National People's Congress voting.