BEIJING, July 23 -- China on Tuesday expressed condolences to the passing away of Director General Yukiya Amano of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and spoke highly of his important contributions to international peace and security in his tenure.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying made the remarks at a press briefing when asked to comment on Amano's role in advancing IAEA's cooperation with China.

The IAEA announced that Amano, who had held the position of being the chief of the IAEA, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, since 2009, passed away on July 21. He was 72.

Hua lauded Amano's extensive and effective work during his tenure in leading the agency in promoting nuclear energy development and nuclear technology application, reinforcing non-proliferation guarantee and supervision regimes, improving nuclear safety and security levels and other areas.

Amano had made significant contributions to sustainable development worldwide as well as international peace and security, the spokesperson said.

"China has always actively supported the IAEA and Amano's work, and achieved fruitful outcomes through engaging in all-around, multi-tiered pragmatic cooperation with the agency," Hua said, affirming China's commitment to continuing deepened cooperation with the IAEA in various fields.