China Mourns Death of Former Canadian PMChinese Premier Zhu Rongji Friday sent a message of condolence to his Canadian counterpart Jean Chretien, expressing his deep condolences on the death of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau.Describing Trudeau as an "old friend of the Chinese people," Premier Zhu said in his message that the former Canadian prime minister made important contributions to the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Canada, and to the steady growth in bilateral ties. On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Zhu extended his deep condolences to the Canadian government and people over the death of Trudeau and expressed his sincere solicitude to his bereaved family. Trudeau died of prostate cancer in Montreal Thursday afternoon at the age of 81, according to a statement of his sons. The former prime minister has long been honored as one of the greatest politicians in Canada's history since he led the country twice as the prime minister from 1968 to 1979 and from 1980 to 1984. During his term in office, Canada established diplomatic relations with China on October 13, 1970. |
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