President eulogizes Annan as multilateralism advocate

President Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences and sympathy on Monday to the family of Kofi Annan and the United Nations, describing the diplomatic veteran as an active promoter of multilateralism.

Annan, 80, who served as UN secretary-general from 1997 to 2006, died on Saturday in a Swiss hospital.

Annan is an old friend of the Chinese people, and China's cooperation with the UN was comprehensively boosted during his term, Xi said in a condolence message sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.