国内英语新闻:China commemorates centennial of veteran revolutionary's birth

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China on Friday held a symposium to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Fang Yi, a veteran revolutionary and former vice premier.

Yu Zhengsheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, and head of the country's top political advisory body, attended the symposium and met Fang's relatives.

Fang, who died on Oct. 17, 1997, had fight in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945).

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Fang was in charge of the country's economic cooperation with foreign nations and science and technology.

He had served as vice premier of the State Council, a member of the Political Bureau of the 12th CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Liu Yandong, vice premier and member of the Political Bureau of the current CPC Central Committee, said at the symposium that Fang's excellent qualities, such as meticulousness, pioneering workstyle, honesty and uprightness, should be remembered and learned.