In an unexpected outpouring of grief, hundreds of Chinese citizens turned out to mourn the death of Li Keqiang, China's former prime minister, in his ancestral village of Jiuzi. The mourners, characterized as townsfolk and outsiders, carried white and yellow chrysanthemums, the traditional funeral flowers in China, as they made their way to pay their respects to Li, who passed away at the age of 68 earlier this year.

The tribute to Li comes amidst a backdrop of dwindling recognition from official media outlets and growing concentration of power in the hands of President Xi Jinping. Unlike previous instances where public figures' deaths sparked demonstrations, the Chinese Communist Party has actively downplayed Li's passing, with reports of online tributes being censored and universities prohibiting student-led memorials.

Despite these obstacles, thousands of Chinese citizens have persevered in leaving flowers and handwritten notes for Li in various cities where he lived and worked, such as Hefei and Zhengzhou. Observers, including Chinese intellectuals abroad, perceive these tributes as a challenge to President Xi and a longing for a more reformist China. They view Li's past as a promising law student at Peking University and his interest in Western legal systems as inspirations for change, even as his tenure as prime minister saw the consolidation of power under Xi Jinping and a departure from the rule of law.

While it would be incorrect to assume that every mourner for Li is a protester, it is evident that Li's focus on practical issues and his humble origins resonate with many Chinese. Li's willingness to acknowledge the country's problems, such as the plight of migrant workers and the impact of COVID-19 on poor families, stands in contrast to the apparent lack of accountability and external supervision under Xi's rule.

The mourning of Li Keqiang reflects a longing for the era of reform-era technocracy, where the Communist Party sought legitimacy through effective governance. Many Chinese miss the time when accountability and public oversight were valued, and some see Li's passing as a symbolic loss of those principles. As China continues under the rule of one-man and one-party dominance, the expression of grief for Li may well serve as a lasting reminder of the yearning for a more open and reform-oriented China.

In conclusion, the mourning of Li Keqiang by Chinese citizens in Jiuzi and other cities highlights a deeper sentiment of longing for a bygone era of reform and accountability. Despite limited coverage by state media and censorship of tributes, individuals continue to honor Li's legacy and his focus on practical issues facing the nation. Whether intended as protests or expressions of grief, these acts underscore a growing desire for change within contemporary Chinese society.