China expresses condolences on passaway of old friend Manorama

China expressed deep condolences on Monday on the passaway of India's Manorama Kotnis.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular press briefing that Manorama Kotnis and her elder brother, the late Dwarkanath Kotnis, were great friends of the Chinese people. She extended sympathy to Kotnis' family.

Manorama was the younger sister and last of the seven siblings of Dwarkanath.

Dwarkanath came to China in 1938 as a member of an Indian medical aid team, working throughout World War II. He is remembered in China for his selflessness and untiring support of the Chinese people. He died in China in 1942 at the age of 32.

Chinese President Xi Jinping conferred a friendship award to Manorama during his state visit to India last year.

Hua said Manorama had made important contributions to China during the war and to the promotion of the China-India friendship.

"The Chinese people will remember them [both] forever," Hua said.

She said that Dwarkanath's internationalist spirit will affect and encourage more people to commit themselves to the great cause of China-India friendship.

Chinese diplomats in India have sent messages and visited Manorama's relatives in rememberence.