On December 17, 2023, President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to the new Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait over the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait. On behalf of the Chinese government and people as well as in his own name, Xi Jinping expressed deep condolences over the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf and extended sincere sympathies to the family of Emir Sheikh Nawaf and the Kuwaiti people.

Xi Jinping noted that Emir Sheikh Nawaf was deeply respected and loved by the Kuwaiti people and had made positive contributions to the development of China-Kuwait relations. His passing is a great loss to the Kuwaiti people, and the Chinese people have lost a good friend. Xi Jinping said the Chinese government and people highly value the friendship between the two countries, and he is confident that with joint efforts of the two sides, the China-Kuwait strategic partnership will continue to strengthen and grow.

On the same day, Premier Li Qiang of the State Council sent a message of condolence to Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah over the passing of Emir Sheikh Nawaf, expressing deep condolences to the Kuwaiti government and sincere sympathies to the family of Emir Sheikh Nawaf.