Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin died on Wednesday at the age of 96 of leukaemia and multiple organ failure, Chinese state media reported.

Jiang passed away in Shanghai at 12.13pm on Wednesday, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The major bodies of China's ruling Communist Party announced his death through a letter addressing the whole party, the entire military and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups.

"Our beloved Comrade Jiang Zemin died of leukemia and multiple organ failure after all medical treatments had failed," the letter wrote.

The letter says that Jiang was an outstanding leader enjoying high prestige acknowledged by the whole party, a great Marxist, a great proletarian revolutionary, statesman, military strategist and diplomat, a long-tested communist fighter, and an outstanding leader of the great cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

It also mentioned Jiang was the core of the CPC's third generation of central collective leadership and the principal founder of the Theory of Three Represents.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping, meeting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith shortly after Jiang had died, said China would turn "our grief into strength", according to state media.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Jiang was a "dear friend" to Russia.

"As a dear friend of our country, Jiang Zemin made an invaluable contribution to the development of Russian-Chinese relations... the bright memory of such an authoritative politician and a wonderful person will forever remain in my heart," Putin said in a message of condolence to Xi, according to a Kremlin statement.

Read More: 'End of an era': Chinese netizens mourn the death of Jiang

(Staff reporter, Xinhua and AFP)

Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin dies at 96