Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Friday to Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as president of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Noting China and Sri Lanka are traditional friendly neighbors, Xi in the message said over the past 65 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have always promoted the development of bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.

The two sides have set an example of friendly coexistence and mutually beneficial cooperation between countries different in size, he added.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, the two countries have been supporting and helping each other, fighting the pandemic in joint hands and elevating the traditional friendship, Xi stressed.

President Xi believes that under the leadership of President Wickremesinghe, Sri Lanka will be able to overcome temporary difficulties and advance the process of economic and social recovery.

The Chinese president also said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and is ready to provide support and assistance within capacity to President Wickremesinghe and the people of Sri Lanka.

Xi voiced the hope that both sides will carry forward their traditional friendship, consolidate mutual political trust and advance bilateral strategic cooperative partnership of sincere mutual assistance and long-lasting friendship.