BEIJING - China expresses deep condolences over the passing of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Friday.

"China expresses sincere sympathies to the Indian government and people as well as to Mr. Singh's family," Mao said during a daily press briefing.

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"Mr Singh was a veteran statesman and renowned economist of India, who contributed significantly to the development of China-India relations," Mao said.

During his tenure, China and India announced the establishment of a strategic and cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity and agreed on the political parameters and guiding principles for the settlement of the boundary question, Mao said.

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Singh died at 92 Thursday after a prolonged illness. He served two consecutive terms as prime minister of India from 2004 to 2014.