World leaders condole death of Vietnamese President

• President Trump called President Quang “a great friend of the United States”
• Guterres hails late Viet Nam President as ‘Friend of the United Nations’
• Russian President Putin offers condolences on the passing of President Tran Dai Quang
• President Tran Dai Quang passes away at 62

President Quang passed away on Friday morning. He was 62.

Close comrade

In a message of condolence to Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Chinese President Xi Jinping extended "the deepest condolences" to the Party, Government and people of Vietnam as well as Quang's family.

"Comrade Tran Dai Quang was an outstanding Party and state leader of Vietnam, and made great contributions to the development, renovation and opening-up of Vietnam," Xinhua quoted Xi as saying.

"As a close comrade and friend of the Chinese people, Quang committed himself to inheriting and carrying forward the China-Vietnam traditional friendship and actively promoted the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries."

The Chinese president also expressed belief that under the strong leadership of the General Secretary, the Party, government and people of Vietnam will transform their grief into strength and constantly record new achievements in the cause of socialist construction.

President Tran Dai Quang. Photo: SGGP

Gracious host

U.S. President Donald Trump expressed sadness learning the news of Quang's passing.

"On behalf of the American people, I express my condolences to his family and the people of Vietnam," Trump said in a statement released by the White House.

"President Quang was a great friend of the United States. He graciously hosted me during my historic state visit to Hanoi in November 2017, and I am grateful for his personal commitment to deepening the United States-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership," he said.

Trump praised his Vietnamese counterpart's contribution to peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, and his voice for Vietnam as a proud and independent nation on the world stage.

Well deserved respect

Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that as head of state and while holding other high-ranking positions, Tran Dai Quang had won the well-deserved respect of his compatriots and gained high international prestige.

He accomplished a great deal in strengthening the country’s security and defending its interests of Vietnam on the global state, Putin said.

The Russian president praised Quang's personal contribution to expanding the Russia-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership, as well as promoting mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in various areas.

He said that Quang's political wisdom, far-sightedness and the ability to delve into the essence of the most complicated issues evoked most sincere respect.

Putin also conveyed his sympathies to the late president's family and friends, as well as the government and the people of Vietnam.

Friendly relations

In a message to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe extended "deepest condolences" to the Vietnamese government, people and Quang's family on behalf of the government and people of Japan.

He recounted that the late president represented Vietnam in extending a warm welcome to the Emperor and Empress of Japan during their state visit to Vietnam last year's spring, and he paid a state visit to Japan earlier this summer on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Vietnam this year.

"His Excellency devoted himself to the friendly relations between the two countries," Abe said.

The Japanese prime minister also expressed his respect for Quang's successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit last November in Da Nang and his significant contribution to the signing of the TPP11 agreement at the summit.

Fond memories

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among world leaders who extended condolences to the Party, nation and people of Vietnam, and to Quang's family.

"We have fond memories of his great friendship for India and his successful state visit in March this year," Modi wrote on Twitter.

In an announcement on the State television on September 21 evening (local time), the Council of State of Cuba said the mourning time would be from 6:00 hour on September 22 to 24:00 hour on September 23. During the period of mourning, the Cuban flag would be hoisted at half mast at public buildings and military institutions nationwide. Public shows and festive activities would be suspended during the period.

Earlier the same day, President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez sent his condolences to the Vietnamese people, and a minute of silence was dedicated to the Vietnamese State leader before the working session at the National Assembly’s headquarters.

Also on September 21, the Government of Venezuela cabled a message of sympathy to the Government and people of Vietnam for the death of President Quang. In a statement, the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry highlighted the Vietnamese President’s political career and hailed him as a pillar in efforts to strengthen a multi-polar world and for harmony and cooperation among countries.

In a message of condolence to the Vietnamese Government and people on September 21, the Government of Argentina said during the tenure of President Tran Dai Quang, the strategic relationship between the two countries have been constantly strengthened and developed. It said President Quang will be forever remembered by the Government and people of Argentina.

The same day, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Argentina Victor Kot offered his sympathy to the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese people over their great loss. He wrote in a message on social network that President Tran Dai Quang had devoted all his life to the struggle for a better world.

President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto also extended his deep condolences to the Vietnamese people over the death of President Quang in a message on Twitter.  

Also on September 21, the Government of Nicaragua, the Foreign Ministries of Bolivia and Paraguay, and the ruling Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front of El Salvador sent messages of sympathies to the family of President Quang, and the Government and people of Vietnam.

President Tran Dai Quang passed away at 10:05am on September 21 in Hanoi at the age of 62 due to serious illness. 

He was elected State President of Vietnam at the 11th session of the 13th National Assembly on April 2, 2016.