Government censors swiftly moved to stifle condolences from Chinese people on social media after the unexpected death on Oct. 27 of former premier Li Keqiang. Candle emojis and sympathetic personal comments about the 68-year-old technocrat were crowded out by formulaic state media and government statements -- in what was seen as a sign of official fears that Li could be a lightning rod for public frustration over top leader Xi Jinping's highly politicized rule and reversal of market reforms and the drying up of economic opportunities.
