BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday extended condolences to Bangladeshi acting President Abdul Hamid over the death of President Zillur Rahman.

Xi said President Rahman had attached importance to China-Bangladesh relations and made major contributions to friendship between the two peoples and practical bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Xi recalled his meeting with Rahman during a visit to Bangladesh in 2010. "I have fresh memories of our in-depth exchange of views on bilateral relations and governing experience, " said Xi.

The Chinese government and people value China-Bangladesh friendship and are willing to work with Bangladesh to continue deepening their comprehensive partnership of cooperation so as to benefit the two countries and their peoples, said Xi.

Rahman died Wednesday in a Singaporean hospital. The 84-year-old veteran politician was installed as the ceremonial head of state in 2009 after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Bangladesh Awami League party won general elections in December 2008.