China's former vice premier and head of the country's top legislative body, Wan Li, has died on Wednesday in Beijing at the age of 99.

No reasons have been given for his death. However, local sources say he had been battling an illness.

Wan's death was announced in a joint statement by the top administrative organs of the country and the Communist Party. This is considered a sign of respect for the politician, whose reformist initiatives are still celebrated in the country. The statement described him as a loyal party member and outstanding leader.

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Wan, who was born in Shandong, was one of the last surviving founding members of the Communist Party - commonly referred to as the 'Eight Immortals.' He joined the Communist Party when he was about 20-years-old in 1936 and played a key role during the battle against Japanese invasion in the Second World War, according to Xinhua.

Wan continued to serve the government when China became a republic and was one of the survivors of the social upheavals that came with the Cultural Revolution during the reign of Chairman Mao Zedong.  One of Wan's most celebrated achievements during this time is overseeing the construction of the Great Hall of the People in just one year.

After the Cultural Revolution, Wan was restored to political office and rose quickly through the ranks. According to AP, Wan backed Deng Xiaoping's rise to power. Both men are believed to have become acquainted during their service for the nation in the early days of the republic.

In the post-Mao period, Wan was responsible for instituting far-reaching agrarian reforms in Anhui Province, which were later made into a national policy. His brilliant contribution to agriculture in the country continues to be remembered today in a folk saying that "If you want to eat rice, look for Wan Li," CCTV reported.

Wan was elected into the Communist Party's Central Committee in 1977. He continued to rise through the ranks and held the post of Vice Premier as well as chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee in the eighties.

Wan is believed to have opposed the government's handling of the Tiananmen Square protests in 1989. However, he never openly voiced opposition and in fact did otherwise. Experts believe his support for the government ensured he continued to hold office until his retirement in 1993.

TagsWan Li, Eight Immortals, Great Hall of the People, Deng Xiaoping, Tiananmen Square protests in 1989, China National People's Congress, Wan Li China