Highlights of foreign congratulatory messages on Xi's election as Chinese president

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said that Xi's successful election as president has shown that both the Chinese People and the Communist Party of China have full confidence in Xi's wise leadership and grand plans for the future.

Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said that China has scored unimaginable great achievements since the adoption of the policy of reform and opening-up (in 1978) and no other country can realize so outstanding development in such a short period of time. He hopes that China would keep forging ahead on the great path of success under Xi's leadership.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke highly of Xi's election as Chinese president, and firmly believed that, under Xi's leadership, the Chinese people will definitely realize the Chinese dream of great national rejuvenation.

He also said that China's rejuvenation will surely help maintain world peace and stability and benefit peoples of all countries.

Antigua and Barbuda's Governor-General Rodney Williams said that Xi is a leader with both charisma and outstanding talent, wishing China greater development under Xi's leadership.

Rashid Alimov, secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), said that China today plays a more and more important role on the world stage, and the Belt and Road Initiative and the notion of building a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind both proposed by Xi have been positively received by the international community.

Alimov believed that the SCO summit slated for June in east China's Qingdao city would definitely generate abundant results. 

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni said he believes that under Xi's wise leadership, China will achieve further development and prosperity, and will continue to play an important role in international and regional affairs.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said Xi has won the full trust of all Chinese people with his tremendous achievements.

"I firmly believe that, with your far-sighted and tireless endeavor, the Chinese government and people will make steady progress toward realizing the Two Centenary Goals," Hun Sen said in his message.

The Two Centenary Goals, put forth by the Communist Party of China (CPC) for building socialism with Chinese characteristics, are to complete the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects by the time the CPC marks its centenary in 2021, and to build China into a modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced and harmonious by the time the People's Republic of China celebrates its centenary in 2049.

Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah said that under Xi's excellent leadership, China has made significant achievements in building a modern and strong socialist country, making major contributions to global peace, development and prosperity. He hoped that China could achieve new success as a responsible major country with strategic leadership.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that over the past five years, Xi has led China to new achievements amidst an uncertain and challenging international environment.

The Chinese government "has shown great determination to improve the lives of the Chinese people," said Lee, adding that he is confident that under Xi's strong leadership, "China will continue to forge ahead and realize its vision for a new era."

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said that under Xi's forward-looking leadership, China is carrying out a carefully crafted reform strategy for national stability, development and prosperity.

Xi's election as Chinese president will help improve China's role and status on the global stage as a prestigious major country to guarantee global and regional stability and security, he added.

Tajik President Emomali Rahmon said Xi's election as Chinese president fully demonstrates the Chinese society's firm support for the political line Xi has determined.

Under Xi's wise leadership, China has obtained unprecedented achievements in economic and social development as well as the consolidation of international prestige, Rahmon said. 

Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov said Xi's election as Chinese president by a unanimous vote shows that his domestic and foreign policy is highly trusted by the Chinese people.

He said he believes that the Chinese president's experience in governance and his far-sightedness will ensure new achievements in development.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who also holds the rotating chair of the African Union this year, said China has made remarkable achievements under Xi's leadership, with the Chinese people's livelihood improved and China's international influence enhanced.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that China will be a great socialist state in the 21st century guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

He expressed the belief that China will continue to safeguard peace, uphold international law and promote a more balanced world.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella said he is willing to work with Xi to promote Italy-China relations and enhance their practical cooperation in multilateral institutions within the framework of EU-China cooperation.

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa said he believes that under Xi's new tenure, the solid and friendly relations between Portugal and China will be further enhanced and their practical cooperation in a wide range of fields will make greater progress.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Xi has demonstrated his firm commitment and leadership regarding the partnership between the Chinese government and the United Nations.

The world body, he added, is willing to further increase cooperation with China to safeguard peace, realize sustainable development and promote the well-being of people worldwide. 

On behalf of the Cuban people, the Cuban Communist Party and the Cuban government, Raul Castro, president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, extended his warmest congratulations to Xi.

Based on the close friendship and political mutual trust between the two countries, the Cuban side is willing to continue to strengthen Cuba-China relations, Castro said.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that Xi's election as Chinese president has fully demonstrated that his remarkable achievements and wise leadership have been fully recognized and supported by the Chinese people.

The friendship between the two countries is highly valued by the Afghan side, Ghani said, adding that Afghanistan looks forward to working with China to further deepen bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said that Xi's election will play a significant role in pushing forward bilateral ties.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Xi's successful election as president has fully testified to the firm confidence of China and the Chinese people in Xi's leadership and grand vision for the future.

He said relations between the Philippines and China are constantly showing new vigor and vitality, and it is believed that the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will be further strengthened.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi wished Xi the best of luck in his work, and the friendly Chinese people continuous progress and development.

The Egyptian side highly appreciates the strong Egypt-China relations, and is looking forward to continuously strengthening and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of the two peoples, al-Sisi said.

On behalf of the Saudi government and people, as well as in his own name, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud extended his warmest congratulations and sincerest blessing to Xi, wishing the friendly Chinese people continuous progress and development.

The Saudi king said he highly appreciates the strong relations between the two countries and peoples, and is willing to further promote the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said the Kuwaiti side is ready to further enhance the traditional friendship between the two countries for mutual benefits. He also wished a greater development of the strong and friendly relations between the two countries.

Czech President Milos Zeman said he believes that China will see a more brilliant and splendid future under the leadership of Xi.

China is one of the most important partners of the Czech Republic, with concrete results constantly being yielded by the strategic cooperative partnership of the two countries, Zeman said, noting that he looks forward to further enhancing the two countries' strategic partnership to benefit the two peoples.