China President Xi sends message of condolences to Iran following death of 'good friend' Raisi in cr

(20 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Beijing, China - 20 May 2024
1. Wide of briefing
2. Cutaway of reporters
3. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolences to the First Vice President Mokhber, expressing deep condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people over the death of President Raisi in the helicopter accident, and extending sincere sympathy to the First Vice President Mokhber, the family of President Raisi, as well as the Iranian government and the Iranian people.”
4. Cutaway of reporters
5. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“President Xi Jinping pointed out that since President Raisi took office, he made important contributions to safeguarding Iran’s security and stability, and promoting national development and prosperity. He also made positive efforts to consolidate and develop the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. His unfortunate death is a huge loss to the Iranian people, and also caused China to lose a good friend. The Chinese government and people attach great importance to the traditional friendship between China and Iran and it’s believed that with the joint efforts of both sides, the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership will continue to be consolidated and developed.”
6. Cutaway of reporters
7. SOUNDBITE (Mandarin) Wang Wenbin, spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
“China also expresses deep condolences for the sad passing of Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian and expresses sincere sympathy to the family of Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian. After the accident, China expressed attention and concern to Iran. We are willing to continue to provide all necessary support and assistance to Iran. China will continue to support the Iranian government and people in safeguarding independence, stability and development, and is ready to work with Iran to further deepen the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership.”
8. Wide of briefing
STORYLINE:
President Xi Jinping has sent a message of condolences to Iran following the death in a helicopter crash of President Ebrahim Raisi, saying that China had lost a "good friend".

Xi expressed "deep condolences on behalf of the Chinese government and the Chinese people over the death of President Raisi," said Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Iran’s supreme leader has appointed First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber as the country’s acting president after a helicopter crash killed Raisi.

Raisi, the country’s foreign minister and several other officials were found dead on Monday, hours after their helicopter crashed in a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest, state media reported.

"After the accident, China expressed attention and concern to Iran. We are willing to continue to provide all necessary support and assistance to Iran," Wang said on Monday afternoon.

In the time that Raisi was in office, "he made important contributions to safeguarding Iran’s security and stability" as well as to developing the partnership between China and Iran, Wang added.

Condolences started pouring in from neighbors and allies after Iran confirmed there were no survivors from the crash.

State TV gave no immediate cause for the crash that occurred in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province.

Among the dead was Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, 60.

China also expressed condolences for Amirabdollahian's passing, Wang said.
AP video shot by Liu Zheng
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