Chinese President Jiang Zemin on December 11 sent a message of condolences to Vlatko Pavletic, Croatian parliament speaker, on the death of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman.

"I learned with great shock and deep grief the death of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman," Jiang said in the message.

He said Tudjman was a good friend of the Chinese people.

"He has made great contributions to the development of the bilateral relations between China and Croatia," Jiang said.

"On behalf of the Chinese government and people, I express my heartfelt condolences to you," the Chinese president said. He also asked Pavletic to convey his condolences to Tudjman's family.