Chinese President Xi Jinping says recent years have witnessed the sound development of China-Albania ties featuring stronger political mutual trust and fruitful practical cooperation outcomes between the two sides. 

Xi made the remarks on Saturday while exchanging congratulatory messages with Albanian President Ilir Meta on the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic ties.  

In the new era, both sides are facing great opportunity and bright outlook, Xi said. 

Taking the 70th anniversary as a great opportunity, Xi said China is ready to build the Belt and Road with Albania, and bring the relationship to a new stage. 

For his part, Meta spoke highly of the remarkable progress Albania and China have made since the establishment of diplomatic relations 70 years ago. 

Meta believed that China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative and the China and Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) cooperation mechanism will open up new prospects for Albania-China relations. 

He called for more efforts to make 2019 the year that could elevate bilateral ties to a higher level. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also exchanged congratulatory messages with his Albanian counterpart on the same day, showing their willingness to jointly promote the development of bilateral ties.