China’s Xi Jinping says Queen’s death ‘huge loss for British people’
Chinese President Xi Jinping has offered condolences to the British royal family on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
He said in a statement on Friday that Elizabeth was the first British monarch to visit China in 1986. “Her death is a great loss to the British people.”
The statement added that China was willing to cooperate with King Charles III as an opportunity to promote bilateral relations and benefit both countries and their peoples.
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also extended condolences to British Prime Minister Liz Truss.
The Queen’s death Thursday came amid tensions between Britain and China over China’s relentless crackdown on human rights, trade and free speech, and political opposition in former British colony Hong Kong.
The Queen’s death is a top trending topic on Chinese social media, with many saying her death marks the end of an era.
(AP)