Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent messages of condolence to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Peru's Foreign Minister Gustavo Meza-Cuadra respectively on Saturday over former UN chief Javier Perez de Cuellar's death.

Wang also extended his deepest condolences to Perez de Cuellar's relatives.

Javier Perez de Cuellar, a Peruvian prime minister and diplomat who played a crucial role in ending the Iran-Iraq war of 1980 to 1988, died on Wednesday at his home in Lima aged 100. 

Guterres hailed Perez de Cuellar's crucial role in securing the release of American hostages held in Lebanon as well as peace accords in Cambodia and El Salvador during his time in office. 

"He was an accomplished statesman, a committed diplomat and a personal inspiration who left a profound impact on the United Nations and our world," Guterres said in a statement on Wednesday evening. 

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra also expressed his sadness over Perez de Cuellar's death in a statement on Wednesday, saying the diplomat had "dedicated his entire life to the task of glorifying our country."