President Xi Jinping extended on Friday a message of condolence to his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, over the death of former French president Valery Giscard d'Estaing, describing the outstanding politician as an active promoter of bilateral friendship.

On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolence to Macron, saying that Giscard d'Estaing, president of France from 1974 to 1981, had played an important role in promoting European integration.

Giscard d'Estaing loved Chinese culture, proactively promoted the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two sides and made important contributions to the development of bilateral relations, he said.

Xi stressed that he values highly the friendship between China and France and is willing to work with Macron to keep moving the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership forward.