Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages with Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

China is willing to work together with Kuwait to carry forward traditional friendship and strengthen cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative to benefit the people of the two countries, Xi said.

President Xi said that since the establishment of the diplomatic ties, the friendship between China and Kuwait has grown stronger. In recent years, their political mutual trust has deepened and fruitful outcomes have been achieved in various fields.

China and Kuwait have also supported and understood each other on issues that are of significance and related to the countries' core interests, the Chinese president added.

The emir said that the strong bilateral relations have been evolving and deepening. The two sides have cooperated in several major projects and maintained communication in terms of international and regional issues, jointly safeguarding world peace and security.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also exchanged congratulatory messages with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, saying that China is willing to work with Kuwait to strive for greater development of their strategic partnership.

Premier Li noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 50 years ago, the two countries have made great achievements in areas including energy, infrastructure, finance, cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

In his message, the Kuwaiti prime minister said that Kuwait hopes to comprehensively elevate its strategic relationship with China to a higher level.