Annan's global outreach praised

Kofi Annan's legacy of fighting poverty and his advocacy of equality and human rights will live on after the former United Nations secretary-general and Nobel Peace Laureate, who is considered by China to be an old friend and respected diplomat, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80, analysts said.

As the first UN secretary-general emerging from the ranks of UN staff, Annan turned out to be "an outstanding diplomat and global statesman", said Jin Yongjian, former UN undersecretary-general and a veteran Chinese diplomat.

He made great contributions to promoting world peace and socio-economic development while fighting throughout his life for a fairer and more peaceful world, Jin said in an interview with China Daily.