Qiao Shi, former chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, died of illness in Beijing at 7:08 a.m. on Sunday, according to an obituary from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Qiao, 91, was extolled in the obituary as an excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, statesman and leader of the Party and the state.

Qiao served as chairman of the NPC, China's top legislature, from 1993 to 1998. He was also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

He also served as head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection from 1987 to 1992, promoting the building of a clean Party and improving anti-corruption laws and rules.

"His death is a great loss for the Party and the people," read the obituary.

Chinese Internet users have lighted up candles online to say goodbye to the legend statesman.

"Farewell, Committee member Qiao, we'll always remember you," an user wrote on Sina Weibo, Chinese equivalent of twitter.

Glorious political life

Born in 1924 in Shanghai, Qiao joined the CPC in 1940. Later, he led Shanghai students in revolutionary movements as the head of the underground CPC committee of Tongji University, as well as other functions, according to the obituary.

Shortly after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Qiao assumed a series of positions, spanning from Hangzhou municipal CPC committee official, to president of an iron and steel research institute.

During the 10-year "Cultural Revolution" starting 1966, Qiao suffered from "cruel political persecution" and was once isolated for inexplicable investigation and detention.

In 1978, after the "Cultural Revolution" ended, Qiao became deputy head of the International Department of the Central Committee of the CPC and later the head. During that time he promoted communication between the CPC, communist and socialist Parties of other countries, according to the statement.

Qiao became director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee in 1983, where he transitioned the Office from a focus on class struggle to economic development following the reform and opening-up policy.

After Qiao became head of the CPC Central Committee Organization Department in April, 1984, he helped build a legion of young cadres, and implemented Party policies regarding the country's once-persecuted scholars and professionals, bringing them back to social esteem.

He was appointed head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee in 1985.

Two years later in 1987, Qiao became a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and began to assume the position as head of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

He became chairman of the NPC Standing Committee in March 1993. He supervised revisions to the Constitution so that the theory of building socialism with Chinese Characteristics has been written into the Constitution as a guiding principle. He also oversaw legislation works for a series of economic laws so that the legal framework of socialist market economy could take shape, the statement said.

He retired from the post of top legislator in March 1998.