世界各国领导人悼念曼德拉

World Leaders have paid tribute to Nelson Mandela following the death of the former South African president, who had suffered a prolonged lung infection.

He was 95.

CRI's Li Jing has the story.

Report: Outside Mandela's Houghton residence in Johannesburg, mourners have set up a makeshift memorial with flowers, flags and portraits of the man they affectionately called Madiba.

In the capital, Pretoria, people lit candles in honor of the anti-apartheid leader, and across the city flags flew at half-mast.

"We've lost a legend and he'll forever be in our hearts and we will miss him tremendously but he's touched our souls, our hearts in a way that no other man has ever done."

"It's good to come just come buy the flowers early in the morning, just come running up all the way from Waterkloof, coming this side, and just pay my last respect even though I, it's very something sad, I think for the whole country, the whole world as it is, it's one of the saddest day."

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has expressed his condolences to Nelson Mandela's family and the people of South Africa.

"I am profoundly saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela. Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration. Many around the world were greatly influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives in deeply personal ways."

In the Chinese capital of Beijing, the South African flag is flying at half mast at the embassy.

The Chinese people are grieving over the loss of their "old friend" Nelson Mandela.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed deep grief over the passing of the "world-renowned statesman".

In a message of condolences to his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma, Xi Jinping says the Chinese people will always remember Mandela's extraordinary contributions to the development of the China-South Africa ties and the cause of human progress.

Meanwhile, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has also expressed his deep condolences to the South African government and people.

"This is an event affecting the whole world. The world-respected Mr. Mandela has passed away, we feel strongly for this loss. The Chinese government and people want to convey to the South African people and government our deep condolences."

According to China's Foreign Ministry, a Chinese leader will attend the ceremonies arranged by South Africa to mourn the passing of Nelson Mandela.

In Johannesburg, the chief executive of the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Sello Hatang, says he feels a deep sense of loss following the death of the anti-apartheid icon.

"I think that even though one knew that this day will come because of Madiba's age, they still have a huge sense of loss, this deep sense of emptiness even, and a sense of shock as well."

The foundation was set up in 1999, when Mandela stepped down as the nation's president, and aims to "support its founder's ongoing engagement in worthy causes".

In the wake of Mandela's death, Hatang says the not-for-profit organization needs to consider the role it would play in "preserving, protecting and promoting the legacy" of Mandela.

For CRI, this is Li Jing.