Bejing: China on Tuesday expressed "deep condolence" over the death of Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the widow of former Pakistan President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and the mother of assassinated premier Benazir Bhutto, as Beijing underlined her key contribution to the Sino-Pak strategic ties.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said Nusrat Bhutto was an important leader and former chairman of Pakistan's People's Party (PPP) and that she positively contributed to the development of Sino-Pak relationship.

 Jiang expressed China's "deep condolences" at the demise of Pakistan's former First Lady who died in Dubai on Sunday after a protracted illness at the age of 82.

Bhutto paid several visits to China as Pakistan's First Lady and forged profound friendship with the elder generation of Chinese leaders, Jiang said at a press briefing.