President Hu Jintao on Sunday offered condolences over the demise of Kuwait's emir, Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

In his message to Crown Prince Sheikh Saad al-Abdullah al-Salemal- Sabah, Hu said the late emir of Kuwait was an outstanding leader, who attached great importance to Kuwait's ties with China, visited China three times in his life time and made significant contributions to the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries.

Hu said the death of Sheikh Jaber was a loss not only to the Kuwaiti people, but also to the Chinese people who have lost an old and respected friend.

Hu said China is willing to make joint efforts with Kuwait to further promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Sheikh Jaber, 78, died at dawn on Sunday after a long illness. Later in the day, the Kuwaiti cabinet appointed Crown Prince Sheikh Saad the new emir of the oil-rich kingdom.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2006)