In a telephone conversation with Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping said China and Guyana should take the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year as an opportunity to lift relations to higher levels. Xi suggested the two countries earnestly respect each other's core interests, and expand win-win collaboration in areas such as energy and infrastructure. Both leaders have acknowledged that relations are firm, and committed to further promote cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.