China's Premier Li Keqiang confirmed on Friday plans to step down after his current term expires next March.
The No 2 in the hierarchy of China's ruling Communist Party, Li has been premier since 2013, and is constitutionally limited to two terms.
"This is the last year I will be premier," Li told a news conference.
President Xi Jinping is expected to secure a precedent-breaking third term as party chief at a party meeting this autumn to elect leaders for the next five years.
In 2015, China revised its constitution to drop a limit of two terms for those holding the post of president. Party leaders can choose the next premier.
