Chinese special envoy attends late former S Korean president's funeral

• Source: Xinhua
• [08:11 August 24 2009]
• Comments

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak (C) meets with Chinese special envoy Tang Jiaxuan at the Seigadai Palace in Seoul, Aug 23, 2009. Tang Jiaxuan will attend the state funeral for Kim Dae-jung in Seoul. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)

Chinese government's special envoy Tang Jiaxuan on Sunday attended the state funeral for the late former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung at the nation's parliament.

During his stay in South Korea, Tang met with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and conveyed to him sincere regards and best wishes from Chinese President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Tang expressed deep condolences over the death of former President Kim and sincere sympathies to his family.

Tang said President Kim was a good friend of the Chinese people and made important contributions to promoting the development of the China-South Korea relations, which the Chinese government and people will never forget.

President Kim actively devoted himself to inter-Korean reconciliation and cooperation and also to peace and development in the region, which has won high praise from the international community, Tang said.

Noting the smooth development of bilateral relations thanks to the joint efforts of both sides, Tang said the top leaders of the two countries exchanged visits last year and the two sides established a strategic cooperative partnership, marking a new stage in the development of bilateral ties, Tang said.