Song Ping, Former Top Chinese Leader, Dies at 109

Song Ping, a former member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party, died in Beijing on Wednesday at the age of 109, according to state news agency Xinhua.

Xinhua reported that Song died at 3:36 p.m. Local time due to illness. He was described as “an outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, a loyal communist fighter tested by time, a distinguished proletarian revolutionary, statesman and an outstanding leader of the Party and the country.”

Born in 1917, Song Ping held a prominent position within the Chinese political establishment for decades. He served as a member of the 13th Central Politburo Standing Committee and later as a State Councilor. His passing marks the end of an era for one of China’s senior political figures.

Song Ping was last seen publicly at the 2021 celebration marking the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party, and also attended the opening and closing sessions of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party in 2022, according to reports from the Zaobao. He did not attend the recent September 3rd military parade.

Details regarding a state funeral or memorial service have not yet been announced.