Wen Jiabao is the Premier of the People's Republic of China. Wen is sometimes called the "people's premier," and is popularly regarded as being more easy going and approachable than other high officials in the Chinese government, particularly Hu Jintao, who is regarded as having a serious and sometimes severe disposition. While regarded by many as more liberally minded on reform than President Hu, Wen Jiabao has also stated that "the socialist system will continue in China for the next 100 years." In other statements, however, he is implied that democracy is an important goal of socialist systems.
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Fast Facts
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Born
September 15, 1942
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Married to Zhang Peili
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Studied and worked as a geologist before becoming involved in politics
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Like Hu Jintao, has spent most of his life working in the rural western regions of China
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Took a stance sensitive to pro-democracy demonstrators during the Tiananmen Square Massacre
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Has made some subtle indications that he supports social and political reform
