Senior Chinese leaders joined with people from various walks of life to pay their last respects to Dai Ailian, one of China's most revered dancers, in Beijing on Friday.

Dai, who died of illness on February 9 in Beijing at the age of 90, was cremated later in the day.

Dai, honorary president of the Chinese Dancers Association, was regarded as one of the forerunners and founders of contemporary Chinese dance.

Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, bowed in front of the remains of Dai and then shook hands with her relatives to express his condolences.

Liu Yunshan, head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, and several other senior officials also went to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery in western Beijing to pay their last respects.

During her illness and after her death, Chinese leaders Hu Jintao, Wen Jiabao, Zeng Qinghong and Huang Ju have all extended their regards and condolences in various ways.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2006)