Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent his condolences to U.S. President Joe Biden over the death of former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

Speaking at a daily press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called Kissinger a "dear old friend" of the Chinese people and a pioneer and builder of China-U.S. relations, who has made historic contributions to the normalization of ties between the two countries.

"The Chinese people will remember Dr. Kissinger for his sincere devotion and important contribution to China-U.S. relations," Wang said.

Kissinger died on Wednesday at his home in Connecticut, at the age of 100.

According to Wang, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi have separately sent messages of condolences to Kissinger's family and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.