China expresses condolences at passing of Russia's UN ambassador

China expressed its deep condolences on the death of Russia's ambassador to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Tuesday.

Describing Churkin as an excellent diplomat who won respect from all who knew him, spokesman Geng Shuang said that his death was a loss for not only Russia, but also for the UN and its humanitarian mission.

"We feel shocked and sad at Ambassador Churkin's sudden death and express our deep condolences," Geng told a regular news conference in Beijing.

Churkin died suddenly in New York on Monday after being taken ill at work, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

China and Russia, both permanent members of the Security Council and enjoying a comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, are in close communication on international and regional hotspot issues, Geng said.

"We have been supporting each other and undertaking fruitful cooperation at international organizations and multilateral institutions, such as the United Nations," he said.

China would like to continue to work with Russia and jointly play a constructive role in upholding international peace and security and promoting world development and cooperation, he added.