Xi sends message of condolence to Charles on Queen's passing

President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence on Friday to Britain's new King Charles III on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

On behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people and in his own name, Xi mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II and expressed sincere condolences to the British Royal Family, government and people.

In his message, Xi said that Queen Elizabeth II won wide acclaim as Britain's longest-reigning monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to visit China, and her death is a great loss to the British people, Xi added.

Xi stressed that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Britain relations.

The president said he is willing to work with King Charles III to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level as an opportunity to promote the sound, stable development of bilateral relations, further benefitting the two countries and their peoples.

Also on Friday, Premier Li Keqiang sent a message of condolence to British Prime Minister Liz Truss, mourning the death of Queen Elizabeth II and expressing condolences to the Queen's family members and the British government.