COMMUNIST Party General Secretary Jiang Zemin and premier Li Peng paid their respects to China's oldest living revolutionary yesterday.
Shi Mengqi celebrated her 100th birthday at Beijing Hospital and was joined early in the morning by the party chief and other senior officials.
Mr Jiang arrived at 9 am accompanied by Zhang Quanjing, chief of the party's Organisation Department, said Xinhua (the New China News Agency). 'I wish you good health and longevity,' he said.
Turning to Mr Zhang, he added: 'She was your old minister . . . We must pay special attention to our old party members and take special care of them. They are the precious treasures of the . . . party.' Mr Li took his wife Zhu Lin to visit Madam Shi. As a mark of respect, the premier called Madam Shi 'mother' when he entered her room.
And he told other well-wishers: 'She suffered most [in the revolution] . . . but she lives the longest.' Mr Li sent Madam Shi a bouquet for her birthday. Its ribbons were inscribed with praise for her integrity, Xinhua said.
Madam Shi was born in Hunan province, and joined the Communist Party in 1926. She was eventually placed in charge of personnel and women's works.