China's former Vice Premier Liu Yandong, a former member of the country's elite Politburo, died in Beijing on Wednesday, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Liu was born in November 1945 and was 80 years old at the time of her death.

Born in November 1945, Liu rose through the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) over several decades, holding senior positions in the party and the government.

Liu studied engineering chemistry at Tsinghua University from 1964 to 1970 before beginning her professional career in industrial work. She later moved into local administration and the Communist Youth League, where she held senior positions during the 1980s.

In 1991, Liu entered the Central United Front Work Department, a key party body responsible for building relationships with groups outside the CCP. She subsequently served as its deputy head and, later, as its head.

Liu became a member of the CCP's Politburo in 2007, marking a significant milestone in her political career. In 2008, she became a state councillor, a senior government position, before taking office as vice premier in 2013.

As vice premier, Liu held responsibilities in areas including education, science, culture and health. Her portfolio placed her among the senior officials overseeing important social and development-related sectors.

Liu also served as vice-chairperson of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, a major political advisory body, and was involved in the organisation of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Her career spanned several decades of the Chinese Communist Party's political and administrative system, from industrial work and youth organisations to senior party leadership and the State Council- Ends