Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated on Thursday Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on taking oath as Kuwait's new emir. 

Since the two countries established diplomatic ties, bilateral relationship has developed smoothly and China and Kuwait have been sincere friends and partners, Xi said in a message. 

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The Chinese president said he highly values the development of bilateral ties and is willing to work together with the new emir to accelerate the comprehensive development of China-Kuwait strategic partnership to better benefit the two peoples. 

Sheikh Nawaf was named on Tuesday the new emir after the death of the late Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. 

The late Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah passed away at the age of 91 on Tuesday. 

Sheikh Nawaf was born on June 25, 1937. On February 7, 2006, he was named crown prince.