China on Monday expressed condolences over the passing of Mario Soares, former Portuguese President and founder of Portugal's Socialist Party, praising him as an eminent statesman and state leader.
"Mr. Soares is an old friend of the Chinese people," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang at a daily press briefing, praising Soares' contribution to China-Portugal diplomatic relations and Macao's return to the motherland.
Soares served as Portuguese president from 1986 to 1996, and prime minister from 1976 to 1978 and again from 1983 to 1985. He died Saturday aged 92.
