WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- In a statement issued by the U.S. State Department on Friday, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton paid her deep condolences on the passing of James Roderick Lilley, former U.S. ambassador to China.

    The retired diplomat died on Thursday in Washington at the age of 81.

    "I was saddened to learn of the passing of Ambassador James Lilley, one of our nation's finest diplomats," said Clinton, who has been in Asia for visits.

    "As I travel through East Asia this week, I see Jim's legacy in our strong bilateral and regional partnerships, and in the many talented Foreign Service officers he mentored," said Clinton.

    Born in 1928 in Qingdao, China, Lilley, known by his Chinese name Li Jieming, was the director of the American Institute in Taiwan from 1981 to 1984 and the U.S. ambassador to China from 1989 to 1991.

    Lilley was also the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 1986 to 1989.

    Before his diplomatic career, Lilley worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for 27 years.

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