Xi extends condolences over passing of Chile's ex-leader

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a message of condolence to Chilean President Gabriel Boric over the passing of former Chilean president Sebastian Pinera.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi extended deep condolences and expressed sincere sympathies to the Chilean people and Pinera's family.

In his message, Xi pointed out that Pinera was an outstanding politician of Chile and had devoted himself to the development of China-Chile relations and the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation, actively contributing to the friendship of the two countries.

The Chinese people have lost an old friend, a good friend after Pinera's passing, Xi said.

"I highly regard the development of China-Chile relations, and stand ready to work with President Boric to continue to promote the ongoing consolidation and development of the China-Chile comprehensive strategic partnership," Xi said.

Pinera, who was Chile's president in 2010-14 and 2018-22, died on Tuesday when his private helicopter crashed on the shores of Lake Ranco, in southern Chile, according to his office.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the death of the former president of the Republic of Chile, Sebastian Pinera Echenique," his office said in a statement.

Minister of the Interior and Public Security Carolina Toha confirmed the news, and announced that the former president, 74, "will have all the republican honors and recognitions he deserves".

In the commune of Futrono, "a helicopter crashed with four crew members. Three of them were able to reach the shore through their own means, they are out of danger, but that was not the case with the fourth crew member, who was the former president", the minister said.

Toha said President Boric "has instructed that a state funeral be held, that national mourning be declared".

The crash occurred around 3 pm local time in a rural sector of Ilihue, in the southern Los Rios region, where Pinera spent the summer with his family, about 920 kilometers from the capital Santiago.

Local media reported the helicopter was flying over the lake on a rainy day with poor visibility, and sank when it crashed.

Xinhua