Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday exchanged congratulations with Angolan President Joao Lourenco on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Xi said China and Angola have always been sincere and friendly towards each other, worked hand in hand and understood and supported each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns since diplomatic ties were established 40 years ago.

He said China-Angola relations enjoy a sound momentum of growth and bilateral cooperation in various fields has yielded fruitful results, bringing benefits to the people of the two countries.

China always attaches great importance in developing relations with Angola, Xi noted, expressing willingness to take the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties as an opportunity, and work with Angola to deepen mutual political trust, intensify mutually beneficial cooperation and enhance people-to-people friendship, opening a new chapter for the robust development of China-Angola strategic partnership.

For his part, Lourenco said since the establishment of bilateral ties, China-Angola relations have continued to grow and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields has scored major achievements with satisfactory results.

Noting the two countries agree with each other on many international issues, he said Angola is willing to strengthen friendly and cooperative relations with China, build a shared win-win future, as well as achieve common progress, prosperity and development, so as to bring more benefits to the people of the two countries.