<span style="color: #222222;">China today paid homage to former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, describing him as an outstanding politician who made path-breaking contributions to the development of bilateral relations. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Vajpayee was an outstanding politician in India and has made path-breaking contributions to the development of Sino-Indian relations. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The ministry said in the statement to PTI that the Chinese side expressed deep condolences over his death to the Indian government and people and to the relatives of Vajpayee. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The ministry said Premier Li Keqiang has sent a condolence message. </span><br />'' <br />''