BEIJING, Sept. 3 -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Saturday sent a message of condolence to his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyayev over the death of Uzbek President Islam Karimov.

Karimov died Friday of a stroke at age 78 in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent after 25 years of rule in the Central Asian nation since its independence from the Soviet Union.

In the message, Li extended his deep condolence to the Uzbek government and people while expressing sympathy to the families of Karimov.

Karimov, the founder of the Republic of Uzbekistan, has been supported and respected by the Uzbek people, and he has also made great contributions to the friendly ties between China and Uzbekistan, Li said.

Karimov's passing is not only a huge loss to the Uzbek people, but also means that the Chinese people have lost a true friend, Li added.

Stressing that China values the development of China-Uzbekistan ties and cherishes their traditional friendship, Li said China is willing to work together with Uzbekistan to further their bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.