BEIJING - China on Thursday sent its condolences to Russia after a plane crash killed 43 people.

"China expresses its deep condolences and sincere sympathy for the serious casualties resulting from a passenger jet crash," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin said at a press briefing on Thursday.

A Russian plane carrying one of the country's top ice hockey teams crashed near central Russia's city of Yaroslavl, resulting in the deaths of 43 out of 45 people on board on Wednesday.

Earlier Thursday, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, respectively, sent letters of condolence to Russia.