China pays tribute to former leader of UN

China said on Wednesday its government and people would remember the contribution made by Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former United Nations secretary-general whose death was announced a day earlier.

Boutros-Ghali, 93, served as UN secretary-general from January 1992 to December 1996 and was the first UN chief from Africa.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said Boutros-Ghali had made an "indelible contribution" to resolving conflicts, improving human well-being and strengthening the UN's role.