BEIJING, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolences to Tunisia's interim President Mohamed Ennaceur over the passing away of President Beji Caid Essebsi.

Xi, on behalf of the Chinese government and people, and also in his own name, expressed deep condolences over the death of Essebsi, and extended sincere sympathy to Essebsi's family and the Tunisian people.

Essebsi was an outstanding Tunisian statesman, Xi said, adding that he led the Tunisian people in overcoming various challenges facing the country's development, and made positive efforts in promoting stability and development in his country.

Essebsi committed himself to furthering the development of China-Tunisia relations, and made positive contributions to promoting the two countries' friendly cooperation and the two peoples' friendship, Xi said.

China attaches, said Xi, great importance to the development of China-Tunisia relations, and is willing to join efforts with Tunisia to push forward the two countries' friendly and cooperative relationship.

On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a condolence message to Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed over Essebsi's death, expressing deep condolences to the Tunisian government and extending sincere sympathy to Essebsi's family.