Tiote, 30, who had only moved to China in February from England's Newcastle United, collapsed at training on Monday, second-tier Beijing Enterprises said.
He was rushed to hospital where he died, the club said, describing his death as "tragic" and praising his skills and attitude.
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"Tiote has made outstanding contributions to the club and earned high praise from his coaches and team-mates for his superb football skills and professional attitude," the club said, adding it has been in touch with the his family.
Tiote was well known in English football circles after a seven-year stint with Newcastle, including six Premier League campaigns before their relegation last year.
The popular, tough-tackling midfielder is well remembered for his crunching left-foot volley from 25 yards to secure a 4-4 draw with Arsenal in 2011.
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Tiote was also part of the Ivory Coast squad that delivered the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations after a 23-year drought.
Earlier this year, he became one of a number of players — including several high-profile acquisitions — to move to Chinese teams.
Several footballers have died in similar circumstances including Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe, who collapsed during a Confederations Cup match in 2003 and died from a previously undiagnosed heart condition.
Newcastle said in a statement they were "devastated" about Tiote whilst Alan Pardew, who managed him at Newcastle, said he "loved" the player.
"From the moment I arrived at Newcastle, Cheick was a wonderful presence around the dressing room and his performances on the field often defied belief," said Pardew in a statement, quoted by independent.ie. "I loved him. He's everything that you want in a Newcastle player."
Fellow Ivory Coast player Gervinho, who plays for Hebei China Fortune, described Tiote as a "warrior" and "champion" in a Twitter post.
Un guerrier , un amoureux du football , un Champion !!!! Que ton âme repose en paix Tioté Cheik Ismael 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/izVFD0l4r7
— Gervinho (@GervinhOfficial) June 5, 2017
Brazil's Oscar, who moved from Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG this Chinese Super League season, tweeted:
Rest in peace, Cheick Tiote. My family prays for your family. #RIPTiote 🙏🏼🏴 pic.twitter.com/AbV4xDpQWp
— Oscar (@oscar8) June 5, 2017
Other players also shared their grief on the tragic news on their Twitter account, including Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale and former Newcastle United winger Tim Krul.
Awful news, so sorry to hear about Cheick Tioté, my thoughts are with his family and friends
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) June 5, 2017
Dreadful news that Cheick Tioté has passed away. So young. So tragic.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) June 5, 2017
Deeply sad to hear the news about Cheick.. One of my favourite teammates.. My thoughts are with his family. pic.twitter.com/FvS6TdDctP
— Tim Krul (@TimKrul) June 5, 2017
How I'll always remember him. As someone you'd want in the trenches alongside you. RIP Cheiky 💔 https://t.co/crESQc0mpC
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) June 5, 2017
I am speechless and so incredibly sad. Cheick Tioté was one of the nicest and toughest teammates I have ever had. Rest in peace brother.
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) June 5, 2017
Rip Cheick Tiote 🙏🏿🙏🏿😓
— Wilfried Zaha (@wilfriedzaha) June 5, 2017
Sad news! Cheick used to tell me how much he believed in me, had so much respect for him. Thoughts go out to his family. RIP "the beast". pic.twitter.com/sxMSNH9LaG
— Rolando Aarons (@RolandoAarons) June 5, 2017
My big brother, I can not find the words ... I will never forget your advice. May God receive you in his paradise RIP 😭🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/84TYl7XENv
— Chancel Mbemba (@mbemba22) June 5, 2017
Devastating news of the death of Cheick Tiote. RIP. ⚫⚪
— Alan Shearer (@alanshearer) June 5, 2017
Rip tiote ❤ thoughts go out to your family pic.twitter.com/ldJ59pg0oF
— dwight gayle (@dwightgayle) June 5, 2017
Gutted to hear the news. A real nice guy. He helped me a lot as I was breaking into the first team so I can't thank him enough.
— Paul Dummett (@PaulDummett) June 5, 2017
RIP Cheicky pic.twitter.com/rdv1Qv84t3
Terrible news. We will miss you my dear friend. All my support to his family #RIPCheicky pic.twitter.com/yugErJi2cb
— Jesús Gámez (@JesusGamez02) June 5, 2017
I'm devastated and saddened by the death of my bro Cheick Tiote . May Allah grant you Jannah… https://t.co/RCrtvIgr4w
— Christian Atsu (@ChristianAtsu20) June 5, 2017
Goodbye Tioté, goodbye to a true professionalhttps://t.co/cyjlHRxWVq
— Rafa Benitez (@rafabenitezweb) June 5, 2017
Damn. Can't believe it. RIP Cheicky... Gone way to soon😢
— DeAndre Yedlin (@yedlinny) June 5, 2017
I can't belive it. No words. I am broken. RIP Cheick
— Ayoze Perez (@AyozePG) June 5, 2017
Sin palabras, no puedo creerlo... descansa en paz amigo pic.twitter.com/aJzoBaP9YV
😭😭😭 may Allah gives grant you jannah brother Tiote 😭😭😭
— Demba Ba (@dembabafoot) June 5, 2017
Terrible news, R.I.P. Tiote. Always enjoyed sitting next to you in the dressing room my friend.
— Siem de Jong (@siemdejong) June 5, 2017
https://twitter.com/CissePapiss/status/871757802364121090
https://twitter.com/Lascelles16/status/871758841729486848
Tiote was capped 52 times by Ivory Coast and was in their squads for both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
He began his European club career with Belgian outfit Anderlecht and had a loan spell at Roda JC Kerkrade before moving to FC Twente in 2008.
Tiote signed for Newcastle in 2010 and made 156 appearances for the club, becoming a firm favourite with fans.
"The thoughts of everyone at Newcastle United are with Cheick's family, friends, team-mates and everyone connected with the clubs he represented," a club statement said.
Chinese fans also expressed their sorrow over Tiote, who grew up in poverty as one of 10 children and didn't own a pair of football boots until he was 15.
"I hope there is football in heaven," said one user on China's Twitter-like Weibo.
Another said: "Although I'm not a fan of Beijing Enterprises club, we are both people who love football and I feel sorry for him."
Rival club Tianjin Quanjian also expressed "its deep condolences", while Shanghai SIPG said it was in "mourning" over the talented player's death.
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