IRNA � Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a message to his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif extended his condolences on the occasion of demise of late Chairman of Iran's Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.

'By passing away of Ayatollah Rafsanjani, the people of China lost a good friend who had an important role in broadening of friendly ties between the two countries,' the Chinese foreign minister said.

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, also former president and veteran politician, passed away on Sunday after experiencing a heart attack.

Late Ayatollah Rafsanjani's funeral procession was held on Tuesday morning in Tehran University and Imam Khomeini Mausoleum.