A file photo of veteran artist Li Ding

Chinese veteran artist Li Ding passed away in Beijing Wednesday afternoon at the age of 82 after succumbing to cerebral thrombosis and colon cancer.

Li Ding was born in east China's Shandong Province. He started his stage career in 1946 and joined the China Dramatists Association in 1956.

He is best known for staring in the popular TV series Zaixiang Liu Luoguo, or Hunchbacked Minister in English.

Li Ding's funeral service will be held on the morning of August 4th.

(CRI July 31, 2009)