Well-known Chinese actor and translator Ying Ruocheng has died at the age of 74.

After graduating from the foreign literature department of Tsinghua University, he entered Beijing's People's Art Theater and later became a Vice-Minister of Culture.

The actor had lead roles in many plays including Dragon Beard Ditch or Longxu Gou, Tea House and Thunderstorm.

He starred in Italian director Bernardo Bertolucci's Oscar-winning film, the Last Emperor.

He also translated Chinese masterpieces into English and introduced western dramas to China.

(CRI December 30, 2003)