BLANTYRE, Malawi, April 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao's special envoy, Li Liguo, met here with Malawian President Joyce Banda on Monday evening after attending the funeral of late President Bingu wa Mutharika.

On behalf of Hu, the Chinese government and the Chinese people, Li conveyed deep grief over the death of 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, who is also minister of civil affairs, said China is ready to work with Malawi to continuosly 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 on Monday, Li attended Mutharika's funeral outside Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital.

Mutharika, who died at 78 of a heart attack on April 5, was buried after the funeral that drew African leaders and thousands of Malawian mourners.