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Brother of China's Premier Li Keqiang steps down as deputy head of tobacco monopoly
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's brother has stepped down as deputy head of China's powerful tobacco monopoly, state media said on Wednesday, removing a potential conflict of interest as the world's largest tobacco user battles a major health crisis.
Mr Li Keming, a vice-director at the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, has "been removed" from his position, Xinhua news agency said in a brief report, listing several other officials who were also stepping down.
The tobacco monopoly wields extraordinary power because it provides an estimated 7 per cent to 10 per cent of government revenues in China - as much as 816 billion yuan (S$177 billion) in 2013.
Mr Li is the younger brother of Mr Li Keqiang, and had been in his post at the monopoly since 2003. His position had become a target for accusations from anti-smoking activists that the Chinese government was too cosy with the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, which controls 98 per cent of China's vast cigarette market.
BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's brother has stepped down as deputy head of China's powerful tobacco monopoly, state media said on Wednesday, removing a potential conflict of interest as the world's largest tobacco user battles a major health crisis.
Mr Li Keming, a vice-director at the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, has "been removed" from his position, Xinhua news agency said in a brief report, listing several other officials who were also stepping down.
The tobacco monopoly wields extraordinary power because it provides an estimated 7 per cent to 10 per cent of government revenues in China - as much as 816 billion yuan (S$177 billion) in 2013.
Mr Li is the younger brother of Mr Li Keqiang, and had been in his post at the monopoly since 2003. His position had become a target for accusations from anti-smoking activists that the Chinese government was too cosy with the State Tobacco Monopoly Administration, which controls 98 per cent of China's vast cigarette market.
