Xinhua -- China extended its deep condolences to Iran following the death of former president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a routine press briefing Monday.

Rafsanjani died of a heart attack on Jan. 8 at the age of 82.

Calling Rafsanjani an "influential leader," spokesperson Lu Kang said that China offered sympathy to the government and people of Iran, as well as Rafsanjani's relatives. Lu also spoke highly of Rafsanjani's contributions to bilateral ties between Iran and China during his presidency.