Xi extends condolences to Cambodian king on death of prince

President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence on Wednesday to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni over the death of Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who passed away on Sunday at the age of 77.

In his message, Xi said that Prince Norodom Ranariddh was a close friend of the Chinese people and made a positive contribution to promoting the development of China-Cambodia relations.

Noting that he highly values consolidating and carrying forward the traditional friendship between the two countries, Xi said that he stands ready to work with King Norodom Sihamoni to continue to deepen the friendliness between the two peoples and to push forward the building of a China-Cambodia community with a shared future.

Prince Norodom Ranariddh was the second son of the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk and a half-brother of King Norodom Sihamoni.

He was co-prime minister from 1993 to 1997 and president of the National Assembly from 1998 to 2006.