Xi leads China's tributes

Former South African leader will be forever remembered, president says

President Xi Jinping expressed deep grief on Friday over the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela, extending sincere sympathy to Mandela's family on behalf of the Chinese government and people. Lauding him as "a world-renowned statesman", Xi said Mandela had led his nation's people through an arduous struggle to triumph over apartheid, making a historic contribution to the birth and development of a new South Africa.

Mandela, who died on Thursday at the age of 95, visited China twice, in 1992 and 1999.