BEIJING -- China is continuing to observe events following the death of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) top leader Kim Jong Un, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

"We are aware of relevant reports and will continue to keep an eye on any developments," spokesperson Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing when asked about the murder of Kim in Malaysia.

The DPRK Embassy in Malaysia confirmed that a 46-year-old man holding a DPRK passport under the name Kim Chol was Kim Jong Nam, according to local reports that quoted Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Kim requested help at Kuala Lumpur International Airport terminal two after feeling unwell on Monday. He died on the way to hospital.

Malaysian police have arrested three suspects, including a 26-year-old male Malaysian, a female bearing an Indonesian passport, and a female holding a Vietnamese passport, in its investigation.

Asked whether Kim's death would affect relations between China and the DPRK, Geng said that the two countries are friendly neighbors and have a tradition of friendly exchanges.