Beijing: China's most powerful woman politician, Wu Yi, ranked No. 2 in the world's 100 most powerful women by Forbes this year, retired from active politics here today.

Wu, 68, better known as the Iron Lady, was a member of the elite Politburo of 16th Central Committee of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese Vice Premier. However, her name does not figure in the newly elected members of the 17th Central Committee of the CPC.

Wu may be replaced on the Politburo by Liu Yandong, who is currently Minister of the United Work Front of the CPC, tasked with winning over non-Communists to the Party's agenda, media reports said.

Wu is only behind German Chancellor Angela Merkel this year's world's 100 most powerful women listed by Forbes. In 2006, she was ranked No. 3 after Merkel and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She previously ranked second place on the list for both 2004 and 2005.

Wu, one of the four Vice Premiers of the State Council, China's cabinet, is considered a dogged negotiator, has increasingly expanded her power and having to deal with a growing host of problems. She helped negotiate China's accession into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in 2001.

Wu was put in charge of China's fight against the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2003 when she took over reins of the nation's health portfolio from Zhang Wenkang, who was fired for the cover-up of the major health disaster.
Source : PTI