Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday hailed the sound development of China-Kiribati ties when making a phone call with Kiribati's President and Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province.

In the conversation, Wang reiterated that it was a correct decision for the two countries to resume their diplomatic relations in 2019.

Noting that it is in the interest of the two peoples, Wang vowed that China is ready to work jointly with Kiribati to achieve a higher level of bilateral cooperation.

The Chinese foreign minister also hailed the mutual support between the two countries amid the COVID-19 outbreak. He said that China understands that Kiribati is under special challenges brought by the epidemic, and will continue offering medical and vaccine assistance to the country.

China highly values the development of bilateral ties, said Wang, who eyes the two sides could deepen cooperation under the "Belt and Road Initiative" and sign the implementation plan at an early date.

Wang also spoke highly of Kiribati's commitment to the one-China principle. Reaffirming the Kiribati president that China's commitment to the country's national development strategy, Wang called on the two sides, as both developing countries, to support each other's legitimate interests in the international arena.

Maamau, for his part, expressed his sincere appreciation to China for supporting the country's economic and social development as well as its assistance during the outbreak.

He congratulated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and restated Kiribati's stance on issues related to China's Taiwan, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong.

Kiribati pays close attention to the ties with China, said the president, pledging to enhance cooperation on infrastructures, education, trade, investment, and medical areas.