On June 3, 2001, President Jiang Zemin made a statement, in which he expressed his deep condolences at the demise of King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya of Nepal.
 
Jiang said in the statement that he was deeply shocked at the tragic incident, which occurred in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on the evening of June 1. Jiang expressed his regret and grief at the unfortunate demise of King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya and extended his deep condolences to the Nepalese people.
 
He noted that King Birendra was deeply respected and loved by the Nepalese people and had devoted himself to Nepal’s national independence, sovereignty and social development and its people’s well-being. He added that King Birendra’s death is an immense loss to the Nepalese people and the late king will forever live in the hearts of his people.

Jiang remarked that His Majesty King Birendra paid 10 visits to China during his lifetime. In last February, the King attended the Boao Asia Forum held in Hainan Island and paid a state visit to China after that. Jiang recalled that he met with the King twice in Hainan and in Beijing respectively, during which they held friendly talks, adding that all these are still very fresh in his memory. He said that King Birendra had made outstanding contributions to China-Nepal good-neighborly friendship, which will last from generation to generation. The Chinese people will remember him forever.