The body of Liu Yandong, a former Chinese vice premier and state councilor, was cremated in Beijing on Tuesday. She died of illness in Beijing on Oct 28 at the age of 81.
President Xi Jinping and other senior leaders of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the state, including Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi and Han Zheng, bid Liu farewell at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Tuesday morning.
Amid mournful strains of funeral music, they stood in silent tribute before Liu's body and paid their final respects with three bows. They shook hands with Liu's family members to offer their condolences.
Liu had also served as a member of the Political Bureau of the 17th and 18th CPC Central Committees, and as vice chairperson of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, China's top political advisory body.
She was extolled as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist fighter, and an outstanding leader in the CPC's united front work and in the fields of education, science and technology, health, and work for women and children in China.
Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng and Hu Jintao, among others, had either visited Liu while she was in the hospital or expressed deep condolences over her passing and offered sincere sympathies to her family members through various means.
Body of former Chinese vice premier Liu Yandong cremated
A global dialogue on China's governance and world development was held in Washington, D.C. on Monday, bringing together nearly 100 guests, including U.S. think tank scholars and young representatives, to discuss China's governance experience and its contributions to the world.
The event was co-hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the Chinese Embassy in the United States.
According to attendees, understanding today's China requires understanding the Communist Party of China (CPC). The recently concluded fifth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, which drew worldwide attention, reviewed the Party's achievements and experience in full and rigorous self-governance in the new era and made systematic plans for sustaining these efforts, and will surely have a profound impact on China's future development.
They noted that as once-in-a-century changes accelerate and humanity once again stands at a crossroads, more and more countries and political parties are drawing inspiration from China's governance and seeking a development path suited to their own national conditions.
"China being such a leader in the world generally, a lot of countries will follow China's example. When I do learn about different Chinese advancements, it's been really nice to see that a lot of the research and technology that they are sharing is a lot more environmentally sustainable, I think," said Stephanie, a student at American University.
Some attendees said China's resilient and dynamic economy is the most important engine for the world economy and stability, and will continue to contribute positively to global governance.
They also expressed the hope that people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S. can transcend cultural and institutional differences so that, through mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation, the two countries can jointly address global challenges and create a better future for humanity.
During the dialogue session, U.S. media leaders and young representatives shared their experiences in China and discussed China's achievements in modernization, analyzing the strong momentum of China's scientific and technological progress.
They noted that China's notable achievements in fields such as green energy transition offer inspiration and reference for global sustainable development. Young representatives from China and the U.S. expressed their hope to strengthen exchanges in science, technology and innovation and contribute to cooperation between the two countries.
China announced an initiative in November 2023 to invite 50,000 young Americans to China for exchange and study over five years. The goal was reached two and a half years ahead of schedule.
During a visit to the U.S. in September, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that 100,000 young Americans will be invited to visit China for exchanges and study over the next five years.
"[For the] initiative for 100,000 students to come back within the next five years, he's already accomplished his first goal, which was five years. He did it in two and a half years. Now he's got a new goal. That's what the young people want," said Ronald Sakolsky, a retired American teacher.
Global dialogue on China's governance, world development held in Washington
