By Li Hongmei

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed deep condolence on the death of Nelson Mandela both on behalf of the Chinese government and in his own name, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Friday.

Hong said at a daily press briefing that Xi Jinping, China's President and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, has sent condolence message to South Africa's President Jacob Zuma.

In the condolence letter, Xi expressed his deep-felt mourning for Mandela's death and extended his sincere condolence to Mandela's family.

Xi said Nelson Mandela is one of the founders for China-South Africa relationship. He paid two visits to China during his lifetime, actively promoting China-South Africa friendly cooperation in various fields, Xi said.

Mandela's great contributions to China-South Africa relations and the cause of human progress will be always remembered by the Chinese people, Xi said in the letter.