1st LD-Writethru: Remains of China's former senior military official Xu Qiliang cremated

BEIJING, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The remains of China's former senior military official Xu Qiliang were cremated in Beijing on Sunday.

Xi Jinping, along with other Party and state leaders including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, bid farewell to Xu at the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery on Sunday.

Amid solemn music, they walked slowly toward Xu's body and stood in silent tribute. They then paid their final respects with three bows, shook hands with Xu's family and offered condolences.

On June 2, Xu died of illness at the age of 75 in Beijing.

Xu had served as a member of the Political Bureau of the 18th and 19th Central Committees of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and vice chairman of the Central Military Commission.

He was extolled as an excellent CPC member, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, a proletarian military strategist, and an outstanding leader of the People's Liberation Army.

Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, Li Xi, Han Zheng and Hu Jintao either paid Xu a visit while he was in hospital or mourned him and sent condolences to his family through various means following his passing. Enditem