国内英语新闻:Chinese president's special envoy attends Peres' funeral

JERUSALEM, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- Vice Chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Wan Gang, special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, on Friday attended the funeral of former Israeli President Shimon Peres at the national cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem.

Wan, on behalf of President Xi, the Chinese government and people, expressed deep condolences over the passing of Peres and extended sincere sympathy to Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Knesset (parliament) Speaker Yuli Edelstein and other Israeli leaders as well as Peres' relatives.

Wan, who is also minister of science and technology, said that Peres, a senior Israeli statesman as well as the founder and driver of the Middle East peace process, enjoyed great respect of the Israeli people and the international community.

Peres, who visited China a few times, had long been committed to the cause of promoting the Chinese-Israeli friendship and made important contributions to the development of Chinese-Israeli relations, Wan said, adding that the Chinese people will miss and remember him.

Stressing that China attaches great importance to the development of Chinese-Israeli relations, Wan said that when the two countries mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties next year, China will work with Israel to implement key consensus reached between leaders of the two countries and push for further development of bilateral relations.

Rivlin, Netanyahu and Edelstein told Wan that the fact that President Xi sent him for Peres' funeral fully reflects the Chinese people's deep friendship with the Israeli people and Israel will continue to consolidate and develop its friendly and cooperative ties with China.

Peres, who served as Israeli president from 2007 to 2014, passed away Wednesday, two weeks after suffering a major stroke.

Leaders, representatives and dignitaries from around 60 countries and organizations attended the funeral of Peres.