BEIJING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Chinese president, on Friday sent a message of condolence to Nguyen Phu Trong, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, over the passing away of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang.

"We are shocked to hear that comrade Tran Dai Quang, president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, passed away," Xi said in the message. "On behalf of the CPC, the Chinese government and people, as well as in my own name, I extend the deepest condolences to you and to the CPV, the Vietnamese government and people through you."

"We are deeply saddened by his passing away," Xi added.

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, the Chinese president said.

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.

Xi said he believes that under the strong leadership of the general secretary, the CPV, the Vietnamese government and people will transfer their grief into strength and constantly make new achievements in the cause of socialist construction.

The Chinese president also extended his deepest condolences to the family of Quang.