Chinese leaders send condolences over Ethiopian PM's death

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao sent messages of condolences Wednesday to Ethiopia over the death of that country's Prime Minister Meles Zenaw.

Meles was an outstanding leader of Ethiopia and a renowned African statesman who was dedicated to the great cause of national development and Africa's revival, Hu said in his message to Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis.

Meles was an old friend of the Chinese people and paid high attention to advancing ties with China, Hu said.

"We will never forget the great contributions that he made to the establishment and development of the China-Ethiopia comprehensive cooperative partnership," he said.

The Chinese government and people cherished the traditional friendship with Ethiopia and the government was ready to make joint efforts to push forward the continuous development of the comprehensive cooperative partnership between China and Ethiopia, Hu added.

In his message to Ethiopia's acting prime minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, Premier Wen said that, as an excellent Ethiopian statesman, Meles had made great contributions to the country's construction and Africa's peace and development.

Meles' death was not only a great loss to the Ethiopian people, but also to the Chinese people as he had always adhered to friendly policies with China and actively promoted bilateral cooperation in all areas, Wen said, adding the Chinese people felt regret and sadness at losing such an old friend.

China paid close attention to its comprehensive cooperative partnership with Ethiopia and would continue to deepen bilateral cooperation in all areas in order to benefit the two peoples, the Chinese premier said.