Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao(R) talks to Li Youlan, wife of late vice premier and defense minister Zhang Aiping during a symposium held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Zhang Aiping, Jan. 9, 2010. (Xinhua/Wang Jianmin) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- A symposium was held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People Saturday to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Zhang Aiping, a late vice premier and defense minister.

    Premier Wen Jiabao attended the event.

Photo taken on Jan. 9, 2010 shows the general view of a symposium held in Beijing's Great Hall of the People to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Zhang Aiping, a late vice premier and defense minister of China. (Xinhua/Wang Jianmin) Photo Gallery>>>

    Zhang was born in the southwest Sichuan Province, and died in Beijing in 2003. He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) in 1928 and was conferred the rank of General in 1955.

    Zhang fought vigorously in the Anti-Japanese War (1937-1945) and the War of Liberation (1945-1949).

    Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, reviewed Zhang's fight for national independence and liberation ofthe people as well as his contributions to the People's Republic of China in terms of national defense and military power buildup.

    Guo said the spirit of the older-generation revolutionists should be inherited and carried forward to push for sound and fast development of China's national defense and military at the current stage.