Xi sends condolences over S African floods

President Xi Jinping has sent a message of sympathy to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa over the deadly floods that ravaged the nation’s east coast, forcing it to declare a national state of disaster.

In the message on April 18, Xi — on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name — expressed deep condolences over the deaths and conveyed his sympathy for the injured, the bereaved families and the people hit by the disaster.

Xi said he believes people in the flood-hit areas, under the leadership of the South African government, can overcome the difficulties and rebuild their homes at an early date.

Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster on April 18. At least 443 people had died and 48 were missing. More than 40,000 people were displaced by the floods.