BEIJING, Nov. 9 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will send a special envoy to attend Zambian President Michael Sata's funeral on Nov. 11, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said on Sunday.

Chen Zhenggao, head of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, will travel to Zambia for the event, Qin said.

President Sata died of an undisclosed illness in London after a medical check-up on Oct. 28. His health had been a source of concern since June, when he appeared on state television looking pale.