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People attend a meeting to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Cheng Siyuan, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), in Beijing Sept. 21, 2008. Jia Qinglin, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the ceremony. (Xinhua Photo) |
China on Sunday marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of Cheng Siyuan, former vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature.
Cheng, officially described as a "noted patriotic figure of non-party affiliation, an outstanding social activist, and a close friend to the Communist Party of China", served as a vice chairman of the Eighth and Ninth NPC Standing Committees from 1993 to 2003 and a vice chairman of the Seventh National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) from 1988 to 1993.
Jia Qinglin, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, was present at the anniversary meeting.
"Cheng Siyuan has made great contributions to maintaining national unity and promoting relations across the Taiwan Strait," said Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.
"We honor him, for his love of the people and the country, and for his persistent work for the unification and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation," Li said.
"We commemorate him, also for his support for the Communist Party of China, for building the socialism with Chinese characteristics, and his clean and devoted work for the Party, the people and the country," he added.
About 200 officials, relatives and friends attended the meeting.
Cheng died of illness in Beijing on July 28, 2005, aged 97.