BEIJING, June 30 -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong led a ceremony at the Russian embassy in Beijing on Tuesday afternoon to mourn the passing of former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov.

Liu expressed the Chinese government's condolences. Primakov, the Russian prime minister from 1998 to 1999, died in Moscow on Friday at the age of 86.

As an outstanding statesman, diplomat and one of the founders of the current China-Russia strategic partnership, Primakov laid a solid foundation for the heathy development of bilateral ties, according to the vice premier.

Liu, also Chinese chairperson of the China-Russia People-to-people Cooperation Committee, said China is willing to work with Russia to constantly strengthen their partnership.

Russian Ambassador to China Andrey Denisov said Russia is willing to make joint efforts with China to further high-level development of bilateral relations.