China sends its condolences to Tanzania over the death of President John Magufuli

By Grace Kuria

In a statement sent on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, “China expresses deep condolences over the death of Tanzanian President John Magufuli and sincere sympathies to his family and the government of Tanzania.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian attends a news conference in Beijing, China

Mr. Zhao added that Magufuli attached great importance to developing relations with China and made important contributions to bilateral cooperation in various fields, Zhao hailed him as “an outstanding leader and a staunch defender of national sovereignty against foreign interference.”

Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli gestures while arriving at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, for the inauguration of Incumbent South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on May 25, 2019. (Photo by Michele Spatari / AFP) (Photo credit should read MICHELE SPATARI/AFP/Getty Images)

Tanzania Vice President Samia Suluhu announced late Wednesday night that John Magufuli died.

Magufuli was 61.