China on Wednesday expressed profound condolences over the death of Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa.

"We are in deep sorrow for President Mwanawasa's death, and convey sincere sympathy to the Zambian government and people and the Mwanawasa family," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press conference.

President Mwanawasa was an outstanding leader and statesman of Zambia, and made important contribution to Zambia's political stability and economic construction and to the regional peace and development, Qin said.

The Chinese government and people would never forget President Mwanawasa's devotion to pushing forward relations and friendly cooperation with China, Qin noted.

China values the traditional friendship with Zambia, and would continue working with Zambia to promote bilateral friendly and cooperative relations, he said.

President Mwanawasa died in the Percy Military Hospital in Paris at 10:30 a.m. ( 0830 GMT) Tuesday, after being hospitalized there for more than a month.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2008)