BEIJING, March 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying has conveyed condolences to Venezuela on the death of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. She said at a daily press briefing, that Chinese leaders have also sent their messages of condolence.

Hua Chunying, Spokeswoman of Chinese Foreign Ministry said, "Venezuelan President Chavez was an outstanding leader of Venezuela and a good friend of the Chinese people. He made significant contributions to advancing the friendly and cooperative relations between China and Venezuela. President Hu Jintao and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee Xi Jinping, have each sent messages of condolence to Venezuela’s Acting President Nicolas Maduro on the death of President Chavez. Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, also sent a message of condolence to Diosdado Cabello, the president of the Venezuelan Congress. The CPC, the Chinese government and the people, highly treasure the time-honored friendship between the two countries. And China is ready to work with Venezuela to continuously deepen bilateral strategic partnership based on common development so as to bring benefits to the people of both countries."

(Source: CNTV.cn)