Shinzo Abe's death | Chinese President Xi Jinping extends condolences; praises his efforts to improve Sino-Japan ties

The President of China said he stands ready to work with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to continue to develop a China-Japan relationship of good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on July 9 extended his condolences to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the demise of Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving Prime Minister and lauded his positive contributions to improve Sino-Japanese ties.

Abe, 67, died on July 8 (morning) after being shot from behind during an election campaign speech near a train station in the western prefecture of Nara.

Also read: Shinzo Abe shooting live updates | July 8, 2022

Xi extended his condolences on the sudden and unfortunate passing of Abe on behalf of the Chinese government and people and himself and expressed sympathies to the family of Abe, official media reported on July 9.

He said that Abe made efforts to improve China-Japan relations when he was in office and contributed positively to this endeavour, adding that he had reached an important common understanding with the former Japanese leader on building a China-Japan relationship that meets the needs of the new era.

Xi noted that he stands ready to work with Mr. Kishida to continue to develop a China-Japan relationship of good neighbourliness, friendship and cooperation in accordance with the principles of the four China-Japan political documents.

Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, also sent a message of condolences to Abe's widow Akie Abe, state-run China Daily reported.