Cuba & China mourn passing of Khamtai Siphandone

Siphandone in 2006 -- image via X

Both the People's Republic of China and Cuba and its respective leaders Xi Jinping and Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez are honouring Khamtai Siphandone, former chairman of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic who died on April 2.

General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President Xi Jinping to to General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith:

Former President of the LPRP and former Lao President Khamtay Siphandone unfortunately passed away. On behalf of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese government, and the Chinese people, as well as in his own name, Xi Jinping extended deep condolences to the LPRP, the Lao government, and the Lao people on the passing of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, and expressed sincere sympathies to the family of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone.

Comrade Khamtay Siphandone was a staunch communist, an outstanding leader of the older generation of the Lao Party and state, and a close comrade and friend of the Chinese Party and people. He dedicated his life to the cause of Laos' reform and socialist development and made significant contributions to the development of relations between the two parties and the two countries. The Chinese Party, government, and people will always cherish his memory.

China and Laos, as socialist neighbors sharing the same mountains and rivers, are good neighbors, good friends, good comrades, and good partners. China highly values the consolidation and promotion of the traditional friendship between the two parties and the two countries, and is ready to work with Laos to advance the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future and to continuously achieve further progress in the socialist cause of both nations. Xi Jinping wishes Laos continued, new and greater achievements in its party building and national development under the strong leadership of the LPRP Central Committee headed by General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith.

Eternal glory to Comrade Khamtay Siphandone!

The Cuban President of the Republic declares official mourning (translated from the Spanish)

It is with deep sorrow that our people have learned of the passing of Comrade Khamtay Siphandone, former Secretary General of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and former President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Throughout his long and distinguished political and revolutionary career, Comrade Khamtay Siphandone made important contributions to strengthening the relations of comradeship, solidarity, and mutual trust between our Parties, Governments, and peoples.

For this reason, Official Mourning is declared from 6:00 a.m. on April 5th until 12:00 p.m. on April 6th, 2025.

During the Official Mourning period, the Lone Star Flag is flown at half-mast on public buildings and military institutions.