China has expressed its condolences for the death of Dr. Lee Jong-wook, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), through Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao in Beijing on Monday.

 

Liu said the Chinese government was shocked to hear about Dr. Lee's passing on Monday. 

 

Dr. Lee underwent emergency surgery in Geneva to remove a blood clot on the brain on Saturday. He died on Monday morning.

 

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of an outstanding leader of WHO and an intimate friend of China," Liu said. 

 

"The Chinese government and people have expressed the deepest condolences to the WHO, the government of South Korea, and Dr. Lee's relatives and friends," Liu added. 

 

Dr. Lee had served the WHO for a long time and during his term as WHO director-general he led the organization in the international fight against SARS and bird flu. 

 

Liu said Dr. Lee had played a remarkable role in promoting international health exchanges and cooperation and contributed greatly to the promotion of China-WHO relations. 

 

"The Chinese government highly appreciates Dr. Lee's work and will continue to cooperate closely with the WHO," Liu said. 

 

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2006)