Qiao Shi, champion of rule of law, dies

Former top legislator Qiao Shi, a leading figure in China's endeavors to build up its legal system through more than two decades until the 1990s, has died aged 91.

He died in Beijing at 7:08 am on Sunday, according to a statement from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Qiao was praised in the statement 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.