BEIJING, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday expressed condolences over the death of Helmut Schmidt, ex-chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In separate messages to German President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel, Xi mourned Schmidt's death and extended sympathies to his relatives.

Schmidt had made unremitting efforts to Germany's nation building and the European integration and had won the respect of the world, Xi said.

Forty years ago, Schmidt and Chinese leaders at the time jointly opened the gate of friendly cooperation between China and Germany and made positive contributions to the development of Sino-German relations, Xi said.

Xi stressed that China and the Chinese people cherish Sino-German friendship, and are willing to work with Germany and the German people toward a better future for Sino-German relations.

Schmidt, who served as chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1974 to 1982, died Tuesday at the age of 96 at his home in Hamburg.

The Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic were reunited on Oct. 3, 1990.