Liu Yandong facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Liu Yandong
刘延东
Liu in 2016
Vice Premier of China
In office March 16, 2013 – March 19, 2018 Serving with Zhang Gaoli, Wang Yang, Ma Kai
Premier	Li Keqiang
State Councilor of China
In office March 17, 2008 – March 16, 2013 Serving with Liang Guanglie, Ma Kai, Meng Jianzhu, Dai Bingguo
Premier	Wen Jiabao
Head of the United Front Work Department
In office December 5, 2002 – December 2, 2007
General Secretary	Hu Jintao
Preceded by	Wang Zhaoguo
Succeeded by	Du Qinglin
Personal details
Born	November 1945 Nantong County, Jiangsu, Republic of China
Died	October 28, 2026(2026-10-28) (aged 80) Beijing, China
Political party	Chinese Communist Party
Education	Tsinghua University
Signature

Liu Yandong (November 1945 – October 28, 2026) was an important political leader in the People's Republic of China. She served as a Vice Premier of China from 2013 to 2018. For many years, she was one of the highest-ranking women in the Chinese government. She was also a prominent member of the Politburo of the Chinese Communist Party.

Liu worked hard to help improve schools, sports, and science across China. She worked alongside other leaders like Premier Li Keqiang and former leader Hu Jintao. People knew her as a skilled leader who helped organize world events like the Olympic Games.

Early Life and Growing Up

Liu was born in November 1945 in Nantong County, which is in Jiangsu province. Her father was an early official in the Chinese Communist Party and worked in agriculture. Because her father held high government posts, observers sometimes called her a princeling.

Going to College

Liu was an eager student who enjoyed science. In 1964, she began studying engineering chemistry at the famous Tsinghua University. Tsinghua is one of the top universities in China for science and technology. She graduated in 1970 after finishing her degree.

Earning Advanced Degrees

Even after starting work, Liu wanted to keep learning. She went to Renmin University of China from 1990 to 1994 to study sociology. Later, she studied political theory and law at Jilin University to earn a doctorate degree.

Working in Science and Youth Groups

After college, Liu began working as a technician in chemical factories in Tangshan and Beijing. She soon took on leadership jobs inside the factories. In 1980, she began working for local government committees in Beijing, including Chaoyang District.

Communist Youth League

From 1982 to 1991, Liu held high positions in the Communist Youth League of China. She served as chair of the All-China Youth Federation. During this period, she worked closely with Hu Jintao, who also graduated from Tsinghua. News reporters sometimes called this group the Tuanpai, or Youth League group. She also served on a committee for the National People's Congress.

United Front Work Department

In 1991, Liu moved to the United Front Work Department, which helps different groups talk to each other. She became the head of the United Front Work Department in 2002. She also led the Central Institute of Socialism, helping many different leaders communicate well together.

High-Level Government Leadership

Liu with the President of Israel, Reuven Rivlin, in March 2016

At the 17th Party Congress in 2007, Liu joined the powerful Politburo. She was one of the very few women to reach this top council. Other female leaders at this level included Wu Yi and Sun Chunlan.

State Councilor and the Olympics

In 2008, Liu became a State Councilor of China under Premier Wen Jiabao. In that role, she helped organize the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. For her work with sports, she earned the Olympic Order and the Paralympic Order. An American university, Stony Brook University, gave her an honorary doctorate degree. New York politician Toby Ann Stavisky praised her achievements during that visit.

Vice Premier of China

In 2013, Liu became a Vice Premier of China under Premier Li Keqiang. She managed important areas like education, healthcare, and national sports programs. She served alongside leaders like Zhang Gaoli, Wang Yang, and Ma Kai. In 2017, she received the Russian Order of Friendship for building strong ties between nations. In 2018, she represented leader Xi Jinping at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang County, South Korea. There, she helped accept the Olympic flag for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Retirement and Personal Life

Liu stepped down from top leadership roles in 2018. New officials, including Han Zheng, Hu Chunhua, and Liu He, took over vice premier duties. Liu was married for more than 40 years to Yang Yuanxing, and they had one daughter. She died in Beijing on October 28, 2026, at the age of 80.

See also

In Spanish: Liu Yandong para niños

• Tsinghua clique