BEIJING, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Former Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen died of illness in Beijing at 10:06 p.m. on Tuesday, according to a statement from the central authority released on Wednesday.

Qian, 90, was extolled in the statement as an excellent member of the Communist Party of China, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier and proletarian revolutionist, and an outstanding leader in diplomacy of the country.