٠٠:٠٤:٠٨Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin offered his condolences to the Iranian president's family, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, the government and the Iranian people on the death of Tehran's President Ebrahim Raisi during a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
"Since taking office, President Raisi has made important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability, promoting national development and prosperity, and also made active efforts to consolidate and develop the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. His unfortunate death is a huge loss to the Iranian people. The Chinese people have lost a good friend," the spokesperson said.
The 63-year-old president was reported dead on Monday, alongside his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others after their US-made Bell 212 helicopter came down in the mountains in northern Iran's East Azerbaijan province during heavy fog on Sunday. They were returning from the inauguration of a dam on the border with Azerbaijan.
The aircraft was discovered by rescuers in the early hours of Monday, while no official cause has been reported at time of publication.
"China also expresses deep condolences for the unfortunate death of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and expresses sincere condolences to the relatives of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian. After the accident, China expressed concern to Iran, and we are willing to continue to provide all necessary support and assistance to Iran," Wang added.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take over as acting president for an interim period, with elections scheduled after 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani becomes acting foreign minister.
During the briefing, Wang also accused the Philippines of 'illegally' occupying Zhongye Island, stating that 'China has indisputable sovereignty' over the island and its surrounding waters.
Wang also denied claims that China is 'the only country to be blamed' for the degradation of coral reefs under Zhongye.
"[The Philippines] frequently engages in activities in the waters near the island. If there are environmental problems in the aforementioned waters, the Philippines should most likely try self-reflection, rather than baselessly accuse China," he added.
Wang described a future towards Taiwan independence as a 'dead end,' emphasising that "separatism under whatever pretext or under whatever banner is doomed to failure."
"There is only one China in the world," he stressed. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China. No matter how the political situation in Taiwan changes, neither side can change the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China."
China views Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'one-China' principle, while the island has never officially declared independence. The US has its own informal ties with the region, which it claims are consistent with its own 'one-China' policy.
'The Chinese people have lost a good friend' - MOFA spox offers condolences to Iran on President Raisi and FM's deaths
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin offered his condolences to the Iranian president's family, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, the government and the Iranian people on the death of Tehran's President Ebrahim Raisi during a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
"Since taking office, President Raisi has made important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability, promoting national development and prosperity, and also made active efforts to consolidate and develop the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. His unfortunate death is a huge loss to the Iranian people. The Chinese people have lost a good friend," the spokesperson said.
The 63-year-old president was reported dead on Monday, alongside his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others after their US-made Bell 212 helicopter came down in the mountains in northern Iran's East Azerbaijan province during heavy fog on Sunday. They were returning from the inauguration of a dam on the border with Azerbaijan.
The aircraft was discovered by rescuers in the early hours of Monday, while no official cause has been reported at time of publication.
"China also expresses deep condolences for the unfortunate death of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and expresses sincere condolences to the relatives of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian. After the accident, China expressed concern to Iran, and we are willing to continue to provide all necessary support and assistance to Iran," Wang added.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take over as acting president for an interim period, with elections scheduled after 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani becomes acting foreign minister.
During the briefing, Wang also accused the Philippines of 'illegally' occupying Zhongye Island, stating that 'China has indisputable sovereignty' over the island and its surrounding waters.
Wang also denied claims that China is 'the only country to be blamed' for the degradation of coral reefs under Zhongye.
"[The Philippines] frequently engages in activities in the waters near the island. If there are environmental problems in the aforementioned waters, the Philippines should most likely try self-reflection, rather than baselessly accuse China," he added.
Wang described a future towards Taiwan independence as a 'dead end,' emphasising that "separatism under whatever pretext or under whatever banner is doomed to failure."
"There is only one China in the world," he stressed. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China. No matter how the political situation in Taiwan changes, neither side can change the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China."
China views Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'one-China' principle, while the island has never officially declared independence. The US has its own informal ties with the region, which it claims are consistent with its own 'one-China' policy.
Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Wang Wenbin offered his condolences to the Iranian president's family, First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber, the government and the Iranian people on the death of Tehran's President Ebrahim Raisi during a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
"Since taking office, President Raisi has made important contributions to maintaining Iran's security and stability, promoting national development and prosperity, and also made active efforts to consolidate and develop the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership. His unfortunate death is a huge loss to the Iranian people. The Chinese people have lost a good friend," the spokesperson said.
The 63-year-old president was reported dead on Monday, alongside his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and others after their US-made Bell 212 helicopter came down in the mountains in northern Iran's East Azerbaijan province during heavy fog on Sunday. They were returning from the inauguration of a dam on the border with Azerbaijan.
The aircraft was discovered by rescuers in the early hours of Monday, while no official cause has been reported at time of publication.
"China also expresses deep condolences for the unfortunate death of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian and expresses sincere condolences to the relatives of Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian. After the accident, China expressed concern to Iran, and we are willing to continue to provide all necessary support and assistance to Iran," Wang added.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared five days of national mourning. First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber will take over as acting president for an interim period, with elections scheduled after 50 days. Deputy Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani becomes acting foreign minister.
During the briefing, Wang also accused the Philippines of 'illegally' occupying Zhongye Island, stating that 'China has indisputable sovereignty' over the island and its surrounding waters.
Wang also denied claims that China is 'the only country to be blamed' for the degradation of coral reefs under Zhongye.
"[The Philippines] frequently engages in activities in the waters near the island. If there are environmental problems in the aforementioned waters, the Philippines should most likely try self-reflection, rather than baselessly accuse China," he added.
Wang described a future towards Taiwan independence as a 'dead end,' emphasising that "separatism under whatever pretext or under whatever banner is doomed to failure."
"There is only one China in the world," he stressed. "Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. The government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing all of China. No matter how the political situation in Taiwan changes, neither side can change the historical and legal fact that both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to the same China."
China views Taiwan as part of its territory under the 'one-China' principle, while the island has never officially declared independence. The US has its own informal ties with the region, which it claims are consistent with its own 'one-China' policy.