While addressing the media in Beijing on September 01, the spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, Hua Chunying spoke on the demise of former president Pranab Mukherjee. She said, “Pranab Mukherjee was a veteran statesman of India. In his 50 years in politics, he made positive contribution to China-India relations. It is a heavy loss to China-India friendship and to India.” “We express condolences over his death and extend our sympathies,” Hua Chunying added.