China's foreign ministry says President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolences to US President Joe Biden over the death of veteran US diplomat Henry Kissinger.

Foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the announcement during a news conference on Thursday.

Wang said Kissinger made "historic" contributions to the normalization of China-US relations, and that Chinese people will remember him for his "sincere devotion and important contribution" to the bilateral relations.

The spokesperson pointed out Kissinger believed that relations between the two nations are vital to the peace and stability of both countries and the wider world.

Wang also said, "China and the US should carry forward Kissinger's strategic vision, political courage and diplomatic wisdom."

He added both countries should promote "the sound, stable and sustainable development of China-US relations" based on the important shared understandings agreed to during a recent summit meeting between Xi and Biden in San Francisco.