BEIJING - China's President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials have sent messages of condolence to U.S. President Joe Biden and others after the passing of veteran U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger, the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.

Kissinger, who visited China more than 100 times and last met with Xi during a surprise trip to Beijing in July, died on Wednesday aged 100, prompting widespread mourning among ordinary Chinese people on social media.