Chinese leaders praised late former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for her contributions to the development of China-UK relations, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Thursday.

Hong made the remarks at a daily press briefing.

President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang have respectively sent their condolences to Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister David Cameron over the death of Thatcher, as well as extended sympathy to her family, Hong said.

The two leaders said Thatcher was a prominent stateswoman of great international influence, Hong said.

She made great contributions to the development of China-UK relations, including the peaceful resolution of the Hong Kong issue, Hong said.

Thatcher, the first female prime minister of Britain, died of a stroke at the Ritz Hotel in London on Monday.

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