BEIJING, Feb. 5 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a message of condolences to Namibia's newly sworn-in President Nangolo Mbumba over the death of former Namibian President Hage Geingob.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, Xi extended profound condolences and expressed sincere sympathy to the Namibian government and people, as well as Geingob's family.

In his message, Xi pointed out that President Geingob, an outstanding leader of Namibia, had promoted the in-depth development of the China-Namibia comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation during his lifetime and made important contributions to boosting China's friendship with Namibia and Africa.

His death is a great loss to the Namibian people, and the Chinese people also lost a good friend, Xi said.

He added that China cherishes the profound traditional friendship between China and Namibia and is ready to work with the Namibian side to push forward the continuous development of the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.