President Tran Dai Quang. Photo: VNA

In a message sent to Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and family of President Tran Dai Quang on Friday, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping extended his deep condolences. 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, Xi noted.

On behalf of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, the National Assembly and Government of Laos and the Lao Front for National Construction, Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachit on Friday cabled a message of condolences to the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee, the National Assembly and Government of Vietnam, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, in which he expressed his deep condolences over the passing of President Quang.

“We highly appreciated contributions made by President Tran Dai Quang to the protection, construction and development of Vietnam, especially in the fields of security and social order. He significantly contributed to the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in the past time,” the message read.

In a Friday’s press release, the US Department of State voiced its deepest condolences over the death of President Tran  Dai Quang, and showed respect towards his legacy.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed deep condolences over the death of President Tran Dai Quang, who ceased no effort to foster cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in various fields.

In an announcement on the State television on Friday evening (local time), the Council of State of Cuba declared official and national mourning for President Tran Dai Quang. The mourning time would be from 6:00 am on Saturday until midnight on Sunday. 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.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deepest condolences to the Party, nation and people of Vietnam and the family of President Tran Dai Quang. “We have fond memories of his great friendship for India and his successful state visit in March this year,” he wrote in a message on Twitter.

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.