Xi mourns passing of old and good friend

President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to US President Joe Biden on Thursday over the death of Henry Kissinger, saying that the former US secretary of state will always be remembered and missed by the Chinese people.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, Xi extended profound condolences and expressed sincere sympathy to Kissinger's family.

Kissinger was a world-famous strategist, as well as an old friend and good friend of the Chinese people, Xi said.

Half a century ago, with an outstanding strategic vision, Kissinger made historic contributions to the normalization of China-US relations, which not only benefited the two countries, but also changed the world, Xi said.

He said that Kissinger had made it his lifelong pursuit to promote the development of China-US relations and enhance the friendship between the two peoples, and his name will forever be associated with bilateral ties.

He said that Beijing is ready to work with Washington to carry forward the cause of friendship between the two peoples and promote the sound and steady development of bilateral ties, in order to benefit the two peoples and make due contributions to world peace and development.

According to Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, Premier Li Qiang sent a message of condolence to Kissinger's family.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, sent a message of condolence to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.