On the evening of April 23, 2012, Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy & Minister of Civil Affairs, Li Liguo, met with Malawian President Joyce Banda at the presidential palace in Blantyre, Malawi.

On behalf of Hu, the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Li conveyed deep grief over the death of late President Bingu wa Mutharika. The envoy also expressed his sincere condolences to the Malawian government, the Malawian people, and Mutharika's relatives. Mutharika was the founder of the China-Malawi friendship and his important contributions to the establishment and development of China-Malawi relations will be remembered by the two peoples forever, Li said. The special envoy said China is ready to work with Malawi to continuously promote China-Malawi friendly cooperation.

Banda thanked President Hu for sending a special envoy to Mutharika's funeral. She said the gesture fully demonstrates the true and deep friendship between the two countries. The Malawian government cherishes its friendship with China, sticks to the one-China policy, and will continue to work with China to consolidate and enhance their friendly cooperation, Banda said.

Earlier in the day, Li attended Mutharika's funeral held by the Malawian government in his hometown outside Blantyre.