Wu Bangguo, former chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the nation's top legislature, died of illness at the age of 84 in Beijing at 4:36 am on Tuesday, an official statement said.

The statement was released on Tuesday afternoon by the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Standing Committee of the NPC, the State Council, which is China's Cabinet, and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The statement said that Comrade Wu was an outstanding CPC member, a long-tested and loyal communist fighter, a great proletarian revolutionary, a statesman and an outstanding leader of the Party and the country.

Wu served as chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC from 2003 to 2013. The statement commended his efforts in developing the theory and practice of the system of people's congresses, as well as his significant contributions to the development of socialist democracy and the improvement of the socialist legal system.

Calling Wu an important leader in the construction of socialist democracy and rule of law with Chinese characteristics, the statement said that he made legislation the top priority of the NPC and its Standing Committee, adhered to scientific and democratic approaches in legislation, and formulated and amended relevant laws to adapt to new circumstances.

Wu served as leader of the central group for constitutional amendment and organized the drafting of constitutional amendments that were passed during the second session of the 10th NPC, the statement said.

He led the formulation and amendment of a series of laws, such as the Anti-Secession Law and the Property Law, that have contributed significantly to the development of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the statement said, adding that Wu made important contributions to the establishment of the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics.

In March 2013, Wu retired from the position of top legislator. After that, he remained committed to resolutely supporting the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, paying close attention to the development of the Party and the country, and steadfastly supporting the Party's efforts in anti-corruption, the statement said.

The statement hailed Wu's life as a glorious, revolutionary one that was dedicated to serving the people, and said it was a life of unremitting struggle for the ideals of communism and the cause of the Party and country. His passing is a great loss to the Party as well as the nation, it said.

The statement also called for learning from Wu's revolutionary spirit, noble character and exemplary work style, uniting more closely around the CPC Central Committee with Xi at its core, holding high the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and striving in unity to promote the building of a strong country and the advancement of national rejuvenation on all fronts through Chinese modernization.