Tue Mar 10 08:10:00 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Former Politburo Standing Committee Member Song Ping Passes Away at 109, Top Leaders Pay Respects
The Story:
Former member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), Song Ping, passed away on Wednesday, March 4, at the age of 109. His cremation took place on Tuesday, March 10, at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in Beijing. The current CPC General Secretary Xi Jinping and all seven members of the Politburo Standing Committee, along with Vice President Han Zheng, attended the ceremony to pay their respects. Former General Secretary Hu Jintao sent a wreath to express his condolences.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Song Ping died in Beijing at 3:36 PM on March 4 due to ineffective medical treatment. During his illness and after his death, Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng, and Hu Jintao either visited him in the hospital or expressed their condolences through various means, extending their sympathy to his family. Song Ping served as a member of the 13th CPC Politburo Standing Committee and a State Councilor. He was the oldest living retired member of the Politburo Standing Committee and held high prestige within the party. From 1972 to 1981, he served as the Secretary of the Gansu Provincial Committee, during which time Hu Jintao was his subordinate as the Deputy Director of the Gansu Provincial Construction Committee. Official media described Song Ping as an “outstanding member of the Communist Party of China, a long-tested and loyal communist fighter, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary, politician, and an outstanding leader of the party and the state.” His last public appearance was at the opening and closing ceremonies of the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022. He did not attend the September 3rd military parade on Tiananmen Square last year.
Key Points:
- Song Ping, former member of the Politburo Standing Committee, died on March 4 at age 109.
- Xi Jinping and other top leaders attended the cremation ceremony.
- Hu Jintao sent a wreath.
- Song Ping was a highly respected figure within the CPC.
- Hu Jintao served under Song Ping in Gansu province.
- Song Ping‘s last public appearance was at the 20th CPC National Congress in 2022.
Key Takeaways:
- The high-profile attendance of current and former top leaders underscores the significance of Song Ping within the CPC.
- Song Ping‘s long life and career highlight the enduring legacy of early generations of communist leaders.
- The mention of Hu Jintao‘s past association with Song Ping reinforces the importance of mentorship and patronage within the Chinese political system.
- The official media’s description emphasizes Song Ping’s loyalty and contributions to the Party and the nation.
- The event reinforces the Party’s emphasis on respecting and honoring its veterans.
First Piper 