World leaders, dignitaries express sincere sympathies

Leaders of many countries and international organizations have expressed their deep condolences by messages or through other channels to President Xi Jinping over the passing of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin.

In a message of condolence, Kim Jong-un, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea said that Jiang made a great contribution to the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Kim also said that Jiang had sincerely supported and encouraged the socialist cause of the DPRK people and made positive efforts to consolidate and develop the traditional DPRK-China friendship.

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said that Jiang will be remembered for his great contributions in helping Cambodia regain peace, stability and national unity as well as for promoting the close brotherhood and cooperation between the two countries.

Yoon Suk-yeol, president of the Republic of Korea, said Jiang was a great leader who led China to prosperous development and he was also a good friend of the ROK and the ROK people.

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan extended her deep sympathy to the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people and Jiang's family.

Czech President Milos Zeman said Jiang achieved great success in promoting China's economic reform and his achievements will be recorded in Chinese history, adding that he highly appreciated Jiang's ability to promote China's economic development and stability.

Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said the spiritual and cultural legacy left by Jiang is guiding and will continue to guide the Chinese people for greater development.

President Xi, with his unquestionable leadership and rich experience, will surely lead the Chinese people forward to success along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics, he said.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Jiang had forged a profound friendship with the people of Latin America and Venezuela, and the Venezuelan side expressed deep condolences over his passing.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said that Jiang not only promoted economic reform to contribute to China's development, but also played an important role in Japan-China relations.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that Jiang's steady leadership and resolute implementation of reform and opening-up were crucial in guiding China's integration into the global economy and its emergence on the world stage.

Lee said that Jiang, who contributed greatly to expanding bilateral relations, will long be warmly remembered as an honored friend of Singapore.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif called Jiang "a great friend who made valuable contributions in strengthening Pakistan-China relations" and said that Pakistan will always remember this great friend.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement that Jiang was a steadfast advocate for international engagement and his tenure was marked by substantial economic progress and China's successful accession to the World Trade Organization. Under the leadership of Jiang, China hosted the landmark Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, Guterres said, and the UN chief expressed sincere condolences on behalf of the UN to Jiang's family and to the Chinese government and people.

President of the European Council Charles Michel also mourned the passing of Jiang.

During a plenary meeting of the 77th UN General Assembly on Thursday, a moment of silence was observed in memory of Jiang.

From Thursday to Friday, diplomatic representatives from a number of countries, including the DPRK, Vietnam, Pakistan, Cambodia and Egypt, also visited the Foreign Ministry to offer condolences over Jiang's passing.