Nation mourns loss of friend

The Chinese government expressed its condolences over the death of Hirayama Ikuo, the Japanese painter who spent a good deal of his life bridging ties between China and his home country.

"Mr Hirayama was an old friend of ours," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang yesterday. "He dedicated himself to promoting friendships between China and Japan, and made important contributions to both countries."

"It is with deep sorrow that we have learned about his death," Qin said.