Symposium held for former Chinese vice premier

Yu Zhengsheng (R front), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), shakes hands with a family member of former Vice Premier Gu Mu before a symposium to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Gu in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2014. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

A symposium to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of former Vice Premier Gu Mu is held in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 29, 2014. Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attended the symposium Monday.(Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

BEIJING, Sept. 29 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held on Monday to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of former Vice Premier Gu Mu.

Gu died of illness in 2009 at 96. Gu also served as a state councilor and vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), China's top political advisory body.

While in office, Gu was mainly in charge of the country's economic work during the 1970s and 1980s.

"[We should] learn from his loyalty to the Party and the people, his revolutionary spirit to push forward the country's opening-up and reform drive, his adeptness at uniting people of various aspects for the revolutionary cause, as well as his noble characters as a true member of the Communist Party of China," said Vice Premier Ma Kai during the symposium.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, met with Gu's families and attended the event.