Xi congratulates newly elected leaders of Gabon, Ecuador

President Xi Jinping congratulated Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on Saturday on his election as president of the Gabonese Republic.

In his message, Xi noted that China and Gabon enjoy a traditional friendship, with their political mutual trust deepening continuously and their cooperation in various fields achieving fruitful results. The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, he added.

Saying that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Gabon relations, Xi expressed his willingness to work with President-elect Nguema to take implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to promote the steady and sustained growth of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to better benefit their people.

Nguema, 50, recorded a landslide victory with more than 90 percent of votes cast and was elected Gabonese president on April 12.

Also on Saturday, President Xi sent a congratulatory message to Daniel Noboa on his reelection as president of Ecuador, pledging to work with Noboa to promote bilateral relations.

In his message, Xi said that China and Ecuador are comprehensive strategic partners, and the development of bilateral ties has maintained sound momentum in recent years.

The two countries have witnessed the deepening of their political mutual trust and fruitful cooperation in various fields, and the friendship of the two peoples has won greater popular support, he said.

Noting that this year marks the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Ecuador, Xi said he is ready to work with Noboa to take the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries to a higher level to better benefit the two peoples.

Noboa, 37, the incumbent president of Ecuador, was reelected to a four-year term in the second round of the presidential election held on April 13.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng sent a congratulatory message to Ecuadorian Vice-President-elect Maria Jose Pinto.