Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated Lao politician Thongloun Sisoulith on election to the presidency.

The inaugural session of the ninth legislature of the Lao National Assembly on Monday morning elected Thongloun, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, as the country's new president.

Describing China and Laos as friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, Xi pointed out in his congratulatory message that over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the relations between the two parties and the two countries have moved forward against all odds and have been consolidated with the passing of time.

The Chinese President said bilateral ties have entered a new era of building a community with a shared future with enhanced traditional friendship, strategic mutual trust and practical cooperation.

"Since last year, we have joined hands to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, which vividly illustrates the spirit of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and consolidates and deepens the fraternal friendship."

The world is experiencing profound changes unseen in a century, Xi said, adding that the relationship between China and Laos is at an important juncture.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Laos ties and stands ready with Thongloun to further consolidate and expand bilateral comprehensive strategic cooperation, enhance the well-being and friendship of the two peoples, and promote the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future to new heights.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Tuesday also sent a congratulatory message to the newly-elected Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh.

Li expressed his willingness to work with Phankham to continuously enrich the connotation of the comprehensive strategic cooperation and promote the cause of building a China-Laos community with a shared future and make new progress.