Former Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong died in Beijing on Wednesday. The 80-year-old was also a former member of China's elite Politburo. Liu Yandong, China's former vice premier and a former member of the elite Politburo, died in Beijing on Wednesday, state-run Xinhua news agency said. Liu was among China's most prominent female officials in recent decades Former Chinese vice-premier Liu Yandong died of illness on Wednesday at the age of 80.