Chinese diplomat describes Jyoti Basu as 'China's great friend'

A top Chinese diplomat today described Jyoti Basu as "China's great friend" and India's "greatest communist" while paying floral respect to the departed leader.
       
"Deepest condolence for the passing away of India's greatest communist and China's great friend, comrade Jyoti Basu," the Consul General of China in Kolkata Mao Siwei wrote in the condolence book at the CPI(M) headquarters here at Alimuddin Street.

Siwei laid a floral wreath before the former West Bengal chief minister's photograph.

The body of Basu, who died at a private hospital yesterday, has been kept at Peace Haven, a funeral parlour.