Beijing, Sep 6 (AP) Germany's new ambassador to China, a former adviser to Chancellor Angela Merkel, has died, the German Foreign Ministry said Monday.

In a short statement the Foreign Ministry said Jan Hecker, Merkel's former foreign policy adviser, had died only a few days after taking up his new office.

Also Read | Conjoined Israeli Twins Finally Able To See Each Other Face-to-Face After Being Separated by Rare 12-Hour Surgery.

“It is with deep sadness and dismay that we have learned of the death of the German ambassador in China, Prof. Dr. Jan Hecker," the ministry said in a statement on its website.

“Our thoughts in these moments are with his family and the people close to him.”

Also Read | Afghanistan Resistance Leader Ahmad Massoud Asks For End To War in Panjshir Valley, Seeks Talks With Taliban.

The ministry gave no further details as to when Hecker, 54, died nor where.

Hecker, who became ambassador in August, was married and had three children, according to his biography on the Foreign Ministry website. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)