Hu Keshi, a former leader of the Chinese Communist Youth League (CY), died of illness in Beijing on June 27 at the age of 83, authorities announced Friday.

President Hu Jintao and many other senior officials, including Zeng Qinghong, Wang Zhaoguo, Yu Zhengsheng, He Guoqiang and Wang Gang, showed concern to the former CY leader when he was in hospital, and condolences to his family after his death.

Retired leaders including Qiao Shi and Li Ruihuan were also among those who expressed their concern and condolences, before and after Hu's death.

Hu, a native of Wuchang, in central China's Hubei Province, wasborn on May 30, 1921. He joined the Communist Party of China (CPC)in 1937 and had held a number of important position before and after the founding of the People's Republic in 1949.

His last positions were deputy secretary of the leading Party members' group and deputy president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Source: Xinhua