Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), will lead a delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) to attend the respect-paying ceremony for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong.

The announcement was made on July 24 by Hu Zhaoming, spokesperson for the CPC Central Committee's International Liaison Department.

It stated that Huning will serve as the special representative of Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping to lead the CPC delegation to attend the respect-paying ceremony for General Secretary Trong in Hanoi from July 25 to July 26.

This comes after President Xi paid his last respects on July 20 and wrote in the condolence book extending heartfelt commiserations to the passing of General Secretary Trong at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing.

Talking to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai, President Xi affirmed that the Vietnamese General Secretary is a steadfast Marxist and a great leader of the Party and people of Vietnam who devoted his entire life to the cause of the Vietnamese revolution.

The Vietnamese Party leader led the Party, State, and people to record great achievements in the cause of building socialism, receiving plenty of love and support from the entire Party, army, and people.

China always remembers the significant contributions made by General Secretary Trong in promoting the traditional mutual friendship as both comrades and brothers, said the Chinese leader.

President Xi also affirmed that the CPC Central Committee steadfastly supports the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam to unite and lead the Vietnamese people firmly on their pathway towards greater development.

The Party, State, and people of China consistently support and believe that the nation’s cause of renewal and socialism building will obtain even greater achievements.

The Chinese side therefore stays ready to join the country in its efforts to strengthen the comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership and the Vietnam-China community of shared future with strategic significance.

Ambassador Sao Mai thanked the Chinese leader for his sentiments and affirmed that the Party, State, and People of Vietnam always consider developing relations with the Party, State, and people of China to be a top priority and a strategic choice.

The same day saw Chinese Premier Li Qiang; Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China; Huning, and many other senior Chinese leaders send wreaths to commemorate the Vietnamese leader.

In the funeral book, President Xi wrote, "I deeply mourn comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, an outstanding leader of the Vietnamese people, and great friend of the Chinese people."

Huning and other senior leaders in the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee sent a wreath in commemoration of General Secretary Trong.

On July 19, after learning of the Vietnamese Party leader’s passing, the CPC Central Committee also offered a condolence message to its Vietnamese counterparts.

VOV