China's military leader Liao Hansheng dies

BEIJING, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- Gen. Liao Hansheng, former deputy defense minister of China who was one of the victims of the Cultural Revolution, has died in Beijing at the age of 95.

The official Xinhua news agency said Liao died Thursday of "illness" but gave no details.

The report said Liao joined the Communist Party of China in 1933 and rose to become the deputy minister of National Defense.

Xinhua reported that Liao was imprisoned during the Cultural Revolution from 1967-73. After his release, Liao served in key positions, including vice chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body.