Profile: Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin

Former Russian President Boris Yeltsinand his wife Naina watch Russia day celebrations in Moscow in this June12, 2003 file photo. (Photo: Reuters)

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BEIJING, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi went to the Russian embassy here on Wednesday morning to offer condolences on behalf of Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Chinese government and the Chinese people, following the death of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin.

She said Yeltsin was one of the founders of the China-Russia strategic partnership. During his term, the two countries solved the long-running frontier issue, promoted the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, multilateralism and democratic international relations, laid a solid foundation for China-Russia friendship and made an important contribution to world peace and stability.

The Chinese people will always remember Yeltsin, Wu said.

She said China will work with Russia to promote long-term, stable bilateral relations, so as to benefit the two countries and two peoples.

Hu on Tuesday sent a message of condolences to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after the death of Yeltsin.

Hu expressed his deep condolences and extended his sincere sympathy to Putin, the Russian government and people and Yeltsin's family.

Describing Yeltsin as a close friend of China, Hu said the outstanding contributions Yeltsin made to the development of the Sino-Russian friendship will go down in the annals of friendly relations between the two countries.

Yeltsin, who became Russia's first elected president in 1991 and transferred power to Putin on Dec. 31, 1999, died on Monday at the age of 76.