Foreign leaders express grief over passing of Jiang Zemin

The late Chinese leader hailed as outstanding statesman linked with historic changes.

Foreign leaders have sent messages to President Xi Jinping or through other channels to express their condolences over the passing of Jiang Zemin.

The name of this outstanding statesman is inseparable with an important period in China's modern history, marked by great achievements in economic and social development and the consolidation of international positions, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a message of condolence.

As a sincere friend of Russia, Jiang has made an invaluable contribution to developing Russian-Chinese relations, Putin said, noting that his fond memories of such an authoritative statesman and remarkable person will forever remain in his heart.

The general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao president, Thongloun Sisoulith, expressed his deep condolences over the passing of Jiang, saying that Jiang made important contributions to the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Jiang played a guiding role in the development of the Laos-China relations, a close friend of the LPRP and the Lao people, he said.

Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, the first secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Chinese government, expressed his condolences to the Chinese people, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese government over the passing of Jiang, saying he was a dear friend of the Cuban revolution.

As a great statesman, Jiang will always be remembered for his steadfast dedication to enhancing the wellbeing of his people as well as leading China into greater economic stability and prosperity, according to Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam. He said he appreciated Jiang's efforts in deepening bilateral relations.

Singaporean President Halimah Yacob said Jiang was a distinguished statesman who, through sustained economic reforms, led China on a period of rapid growth and development.

She said that her thoughts are with the people of China during this period of bereavement.

Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said Jiang will be remembered as a visionary leader who has made great strides in bringing socioeconomic progress for the people of China and also in his efforts to consolidate China's role as a major contributor to the international stage.

In a message of condolence, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said Jiang had selflessly served in the name of the prosperity of China and strengthened the country's authority in the international community. He said that Jiang has made a significant contribution to the strengthening of the Kazakhstan-China friendship and will always remain in the memory of our peoples. Tajik President Emomali Rahmon spoke highly of Jiang's contributions to promoting China's development, adding that the Tajik side commends Jiang's role in establishing, strengthening and expanding good neighborliness and beneficial cooperation between Tajikistan and China.

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said that Jiang made a great contribution to the revival of the great Chinese nation, which allowed China to become a powerful and economically prosperous state. He said that Jiang had built the foundations of Belarusian-Chinese relations and contributed to their steady strengthening over many years.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that he and the Palestinian people will always remember the outstanding leader, and that Jiang was a supporter of the Palestinian people's just cause, a promoter of Palestine-China relations and a witness to the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council observed a minute of silence in memory of Jiang.