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Chinese language President Xi Jinping on Saturday despatched a message of condolence to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida over the loss of life of former chief Shinzo Abe, state media reported.
The 2 leaders had a steady however frosty relationship, as Abe tried to fix ties lately regardless of bitter historic grievances between the regional rivals and a simmering dispute over an island chain claimed by each international locations.
“On behalf of the Chinese language authorities and the Chinese language folks, and in his personal identify, Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences over the premature loss of life of former prime minister Shinzo Abe and condolences to his relations,” state broadcaster CCTV mentioned.
“I’m deeply saddened by his sudden passing,” it reported Xi as saying, including that he and spouse Peng Liyuan had despatched a separate message of condolence to Abe’s widow, Akie Abe.
After resigning from workplace in 2020 because of sick well being, Abe grew to become a staunch defender of Taiwan and referred to as on the US and Japan to come back to its protection in case of a army invasion by China.
Xi’s public tribute to the previous prime minister, who died Friday after being assassinated whereas campaigning within the Japanese metropolis of Nara, lagged behind a number of different world leaders.
Abe was deeply unpopular in China partly because of his repeated visits to the Yasakuni Shrine, a controversial memorial to Japan’s warfare lifeless.
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