Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a message of sympathy to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the latter and his wife Emine Erdogan tested positive for COVID-19.

In his message, Xi said he and his wife, Peng Liyuan, extend the sincerest sympathy to them and wish them a speedy recovery.

Xi said China will continue to firmly support Turkey in its fight against the pandemic.

The Chinese president said he attaches great importance to developing China-Turkey relations and stands ready to work with Erdogan to lift the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries to new levels.

(Cover: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan adjusts his face mask at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey, December 16, 2021. /CFP)