In this file photo taken on Sept. 28, 2012, Ma Kai (R, Front) confers the Friendship Award to a foreign expert at the ceremony of the Chinese Government Friendship Award in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

Over the last 30 years, Ma Kai participated in macro-sized decision-making concerning China's economic development and institutional reform.

During his service, Ma was always whole-heartedly devoted to his duties and dedicated himself in an utmost fashion. "I hope the difficult issues can be solved despite more grey hairs on my head," he wrote in a poem.

Viewed as a scholar-official, Ma has published a number of academic monographs. In the 1980s and 1990s, Ma participated in a series of important reforms for pricing systems.

Shortly after taking charge of the National Development and Reform Commission in 2003, Ma was challenged by signs of overheating in the Chinese economy. Based on the general deployment of the central government, the commision, in coordination with other departments, issued a package of policies, helping the Chinese economy enjoy a fast and steady growth in five years in a row.

In this file photo taken on April 28, 2007, Ma Kai (R, Front) talks with college students after giving a lecture in a university in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Yuan Man)

Ma also organized the drafting of the 11th Five-Year Program (2006-2010) and took the opportunity to make 97 specialized plans in coordination with other departments, filling in the blanks in many fields.

In 2008, Ma became state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council, leading the General Office of the State Council in implementing policies made by the central authorities.

In the first five months of 2012, investment in railway construction dropped by more than 40 percent. Leading relevant departments, Ma went to construction sites to find problems and solutions. Through joint efforts, investment in railway construction increased again and allowed railway construction to maintai a stable momentum.

Liu Yandong has a happy family. She has an open-minded husband and a daughter. Liu often says that in daily life one should remember one's gender, while in work one should forget it.

Wang Yang likes sports. He likes playing tennis and walking in his spare time, but he uses most of his time for reading. Wang is extremely filial to his mother, as she raised her three children through her own effort.

Wang and his wife have a daughter.

Ma is a poet whose works have been widely applauded. Ma's wife has retired for years and they have a daughter.