China has expressed its sadness over the passing away of former prime minister and Nepali Congress President Sushil Koirala in the early hours of Tuesday.

In a letter sent to Foreign Minister Kamal Thapa, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that the Chinese side was sad to learn of the unfortunate passing away of Koirala. The Chinese embassy in Kathmandu extended a message of sympathy to the family of the deceased and the people of Nepal.

“Sushil Koirala was a prominent political leader of Nepal, who was committed to developing a good Chinese and Nepali relationship of cooperation and friendship,” the statement quoted Foreign Minister Wang as saying.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Wu Chuntai reached Sanepa earlier to pay tributes to the former prime minister.