China expresses condolences over death of Gorbachev

In this file photo taken on Oct 31, 2009, former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev attends a commemorative event in Berlin. (DAVID GANNON / AFP)

BEIJING – China has expressed condolences over the death of former Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

"Mr. Gorbachev made positive contributions to the normalization of China-Soviet Union relations," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily news briefing.

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"We mourn his death and express our condolences to his family," Zhao added.