BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday attended a symposium in Beijing to commemorate what would have been the 100th birthday of his father Xi Zhongxun, a respected Communist elder and former vice premier of China.

Xi Zhongxun died aged 89 in 2002.

In a statement released after the symposium, Xi Zhongxun was described as "an excellent Party member, a great Communist fighter, an outstanding proletarian revolutionary as well as a distinguished political leader of the our Party and military."

In his speech at the symposium, Li Jianguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, reviewed Xi Zhongxun's revolutionary career and his achievements, calling on others to follow his noble characteristics, revolutionary spirit and fine style.