Former Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong Dies at 80

Liu Yandong, a former vice premier of China and one of the country's highest-ranking female political figures, died in Beijing on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at the age of 80, according to state-run Xinhua news agency. Her career spanned several decades in the Chinese Communist Party and government, including senior responsibilities in education, science, culture, and health.

Born in November 1945, Liu served as vice premier from 2013 to 2018 after joining the Communist Party's Politburo in 2007. She was among the relatively few women to become full members of the party's senior leadership body since 1949, according to reports by Inshorts and India Today.

Liu also served on the Political Bureau of the 17th and 18th Central Committees of the Chinese Communist Party and as vice chairperson of the 10th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, according to China Global Television Network.

Her political career included work in party organizations, government administration, and social development. As vice premier, she oversaw areas including education, science, culture, and health, while also participating in preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, according to India Today.

Liu studied engineering chemistry at Tsinghua University from 1964 to 1970 before beginning her professional career in industrial work. During the 1980s, she moved into local administration and held senior positions in the Communist Youth League, building experience in party organization and public administration.

In 1991, Liu joined the Central United Front Work Department, a Communist Party body responsible for developing relationships with groups outside the party. She later served as deputy head and then head of the department, according to India Today.

Her appointment to the Politburo in 2007 marked a major step in her ascent through the party leadership. The following year, she became a state councillor before advancing to the vice premiership in 2013.

An official statement carried by China Global Television Network praised Liu's contributions to the party and her work across several policy areas.

She was described 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 children and women work in China," according to the official statement.

Liu's career placed her among the most prominent women in China's political leadership during her tenure. Her responsibilities extended from united front work and youth organizations to senior positions in the Communist Party's central leadership and the State Council.