When the Chinese Premier Ordered a Vanilla Latte

In 2013, a casual lunch at a Beijing bun shop dubbed the “Chairman’s Combo” sparked national attention. Months later, another seemingly ordinary moment—this time at a Beijing coffee shop—would also capture the public imagination. Only this time, it wasn’t buns and liver, but a cup of coffee in the heart of China’s booming startup district.

The ‘Premier’s coffee’ was a vanilla latte, made specially for then-Premier Li Keqiang during his 2013 visit to 3W Coffee in Beijing’s Zhongguancun innovation hub. The barista behind the cup made six test versions before serving the final drink to the Premier. That same drink is still referred to by customers today as the ‘Premier’s coffee’.

What Happened When the Premier Walked Into 3W Coffee?

On a morning in December 2013, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited 3W Coffee, located on Beijing’s bustling Zhongguancun innovation street. Arriving shortly before 10 a.m., he spent time speaking with entrepreneurs and investors. Before heading upstairs, he stopped on the first floor to enjoy a vanilla latte. The visit wasn’t announced in advance, adding spontaneity to the otherwise routine morning for the café staff.

How Did the Barista Prepare ‘The Premier’s Coffee’?

The barista responsible for making the Premier’s drink was a staffer named Xiao Liu. Not knowing she would be serving the country’s Premier, she began her shift normally. Once informed who her customer would be, she felt nervous and prepared six consecutive vanilla lattes until she was personally satisfied with the sixth. That final version was the one served to Premier Li. The drink itself was a standard vanilla latte—no special beans or custom recipe—but the care put into its preparation stood out. To this day, customers ordering the same drink are told they’re having the ‘Premier’s coffee’.

Why Was This Visit So Significant?

Li Keqiang’s visit to 3W Coffee wasn’t just about coffee. During his time at the café, he spoke with Ma DeLong, CEO of job recruitment platform Lagou (now part of Liepin). The conversation turned to the importance of employment, with Li emphasizing that job creation underpins all economic activity, especially in fostering “mass entrepreneurship and innovation.” He noted that Lagou, with just over 100 employees, helped place 1.5 million people in jobs across 60,000 companies annually—a feat he called “remarkable.” At one point, Li joked that the nation’s employment agencies should learn from Lagou’s model.

What Is 3W Coffee and Why Does It Matter?

3W Coffee is more than a caffeine stop—it’s a well-known hub for startups and tech entrepreneurs in Beijing. Located on the now-famous Zhongguancun innovation street, the café regularly hosts pitch events, networking meetups, and informal investor talks. Its role in China’s entrepreneurial ecosystem is similar to that of early-stage co-working spaces or Silicon Valley coffee shops where deals are informally struck. The café’s name, branding, and community ties have made it a symbol of China’s grassroots innovation movement.

Where Is Zhongguancun and What’s Its Role in China’s Startup Scene?

Zhongguancun, often dubbed “China’s Silicon Valley,” is a technology and innovation district in Beijing. It is home to numerous tech companies, universities, and research institutes, making it a magnet for startups, venture capitalists, and tech talent. The area has played a central role in the growth of China’s internet economy and continues to be a focal point for innovation policy and grassroots entrepreneurial activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of coffee did Premier Li Keqiang order at 3W Coffee?

Premier Li ordered a vanilla latte. It was a standard espresso-based drink with vanilla syrup, made by the café’s baristas. No special beans or preparation methods were used—it was a regular vanilla latte, though now widely referred to as the 'Premier’s coffee'.

Did the Premier really drink coffee in a startup café?

Yes. In December 2013, then-Premier Li Keqiang visited 3W Coffee in Beijing’s Zhongguancun district, a well-known hub for startups and tech entrepreneurs. He spent time talking with founders and investors, and had a vanilla latte on the café’s first floor before heading upstairs.

What did the Premier talk about during his visit?

Li Keqiang spoke with Ma DeLong, CEO of the job platform Lagou, about employment and entrepreneurship. He emphasized that job creation is fundamental to economic growth and praised Lagou for helping place 1.5 million people in jobs annually across 60,000 companies. He joked that employment agencies should study Lagou’s approach.

What is 3W Coffee and why is it notable?

3W Coffee is a Beijing café located in the Zhongguancun innovation district. It serves as a meeting spot for tech entrepreneurs, investors, and startups. The café has hosted numerous events and is considered a symbolic space for China’s grassroots innovation and startup culture.

Why do people still call it the ‘Premier’s coffee’?

Because the vanilla latte ordered by Premier Li Keqiang became widely known after his visit. The barista who made it tested six versions before serving the final one. Ever since, customers who order the same vanilla latte are told they’re having the ‘Premier’s coffee’.

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