China's 'iron lady' steps down from key political post

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L), former president Jiang Zemin (C) and Premier Wen Jiabao (R) raise their hands to vote during the closing session of the ruling Communist's 17th five-yearly Party Congress inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing yesterday. Photo: AFP

China's most powerful woman, Vice Premier Wu Yi, signalled her retirement yesterday, ending a career as a tough negotiator and troubleshooter that earned plaudits at home and abroad for "the iron lady."
Wu, 69, was not named to the Communist Party's new Central Committee at the close of a five-yearly party Congress, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Her failure to win another term on the committee appeared linked to her age and means she will step down from the vice premiership when China's parliament names a new government in March next year.