<p>China on Tuesday paid rich tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee, saying he was a veteran statesman and his death is a huge loss for India-China friendship.</p>.<p>The 84-year-old veteran politician died after he suffered a septic shock on Sunday. He died of a cardiac arrest on Monday evening in a hospital in New Delhi following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments.</p>.<p id="page-title"><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-cremated-with-full-state-honours-880952.html" target="_blank">Former President Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full state honours</a></strong></p>.<p>"Former President Mukherjee was a veteran statesman of India. In his 50 years in politics, he made positive contributions to China-India relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here, replying to a question.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/world-leaders-mourn-death-of-pranab-mukherjee-880764.html" target="_blank">World leaders mourn death of Pranab Mukherjee</a></strong></p>.<p>Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India in 2014 and his meeting with Mukherjee, she said after the meeting the two countries issued a joint statement on building closer development partnership.</p>.<p>"It is a heavy loss for China, India friendship and to India. We express deep condolences over his passing and extend sincere sympathies to the Indian government and his family," </p>
<p>China on Tuesday paid rich tributes to former president Pranab Mukherjee, saying he was a veteran statesman and his death is a huge loss for India-China friendship.</p>.<p>The 84-year-old veteran politician died after he suffered a septic shock on Sunday. He died of a cardiac arrest on Monday evening in a hospital in New Delhi following a 21-day battle with multiple ailments.</p>.<p id="page-title"><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/former-president-pranab-mukherjee-cremated-with-full-state-honours-880952.html" target="_blank">Former President Pranab Mukherjee cremated with full state honours</a></strong></p>.<p>"Former President Mukherjee was a veteran statesman of India. In his 50 years in politics, he made positive contributions to China-India relations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told a media briefing here, replying to a question.</p>.<p><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/national-politics/world-leaders-mourn-death-of-pranab-mukherjee-880764.html" target="_blank">World leaders mourn death of Pranab Mukherjee</a></strong></p>.<p>Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to India in 2014 and his meeting with Mukherjee, she said after the meeting the two countries issued a joint statement on building closer development partnership.</p>.<p>"It is a heavy loss for China, India friendship and to India. We express deep condolences over his passing and extend sincere sympathies to the Indian government and his family," </p>