China’s President Xi Jinping has sent condolences to King Charles III over the death of the queen.
State media said he “extended his sincere sympathy to the British royal family, British government and people.”
Al Jazeera’s Adrian Brown, who lived in Hong Kong for many years, said the time it took to respond to her death was perhaps a reflection of the difficult relationship between the two countries.
“At times like these the Communist Party becomes paralysed and those at the top have to work out what the line is going to be,” he said. “This is complicated because Queen Elizabeth was the sovereign head of a country that has fallen out badly with China in the past few years over Hong Kong and the situation in Xinjiang.
“While the queen is deeply respected in China, the government (in Beijing) does not get along with the government of the United Kingdom at the moment.”Australia to hold 14 days of mourning over queen’s death
Australia will observe 14 days of mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and parliament will be suspended until after her funeral has taken place, according to The Age newspaper.
Flags have already been lowered to half-mast, and a gun salute is expected at 5pm local time (07:00 GMT) on Friday. Cannons will fire one round every 10 seconds to mark each year of the queen’s life.!
The country’s Governor General — the monarch’s representative in Australia — as well as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese are both expected to fly to London to attend the queen’s funeral.
A number of the world’s landmarks have been lit in honour of Queen Elizabeth II following her death.
The Empire State Building in New York was lit in purple, while the Statue of Christ the Redeemer that overlooks the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro was illuminated in the colours of the British flag.
In Paris, meanwhile, lights on the Eiffel Tower were turned off as a mark of respect.
Malaysia has extended its “sincere condolences” to the family of the queen, the British people and the UK government over the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Her majesty was a towering figure and led a lifetime of dedication and service to the people of the UK and the Commonwealth,” Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah wrote on Facebook.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has joined world leaders in paying tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.
Kishida said the queen made a “great contribution” towards strengthening ties between Japan and Britain, and that her death was a big loss for the international community.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing,” Kishida told reporters on Friday. “The government of Japan expresses its heartfelt condolences to the British royal family, the British government and the British people.”
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) have sent condolences to King Charles III, according to two statements on state news agency SPA.
“Her majesty was a role model for leadership that will be immortalised in history,” King Salman said.
MBS, meanwhile, said the world will remember the great impact of the queen’s work throughout her career.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said in a letter to King Charles that his late mother Queen Elizabeth’s reign had “defined the history” of the UK and Europe.
“She symbolised the best of the United Kingdom, its people and its values. She meant so much to many and, on a personal note, has been an inspiration throughout my life,” von der Leyen wrote.
