In an obituary jointly issued by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, NPC Standing Committee, State Council and the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Wan was praised as an "excellent Party member, a time-tested and loyal communist soldier, and an outstanding proletarian revolutionist, statesman and leader of the Party and the state." 

 

He also served as secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier. 

 

Born in 1916 in Shandong, Wan joined the CPC in 1936. He made important contribution for the victory against Japanese aggressors in Hebei, Shandong and Henan provinces, and his work contributed in the War of Liberation, the obituary said. 

 

After the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, Wan assumed a number of positions, including head of the urban construction ministry and deputy mayor of Beijing. 

 

During his work as a Beijing municipal official, Wan assisted then Premier Zhou Enlai in preparing for the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of New China and completed the construction of the Great Hall of the People within one year. 

 

Wan suffered serious persecution during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), but resumed work in 1973 and became a senior Party official of Beijing municipal CPC committee. He urged proper planning, construction and management of the city with insightful ideas on environmental protection and pollution control.