World leaders congratulate Xi on election as Chinese president

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‍World leaders have sent their congratulations to Xi Jinping after he was elected Chinese president on Saturday morning at the ongoing first session of the 13th National People's Congress.

DPRK leader Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un said he wishes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) with Xi at the core, the Chinese people will make greater achievements in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

He said he believes that DPRK-China relations will develop toward the direction that conforms to the common interests of the two peoples.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta

Kenyan President Kenyatta, who is on a state visit to Cuba, said President Xi’s election has fully demonstrated the strong confidence of the Chinese people in his vision and wisdom in the governance of China and international affairs.

"On behalf of the Government and the people of Kenya and on my own behalf, I wish to extend my warmest congratulations on Your Excellency’s re-election as President of the People’s Republic of China,” President Kenyatta said in his congratulatory message to President Xi.

President Kenyatta said he was pleased that over the past few years Kenya-China relations have advanced by leaps and bounds.

He pointed out that bilateral cooperation between the two countries has scored tremendous achievements that are significantly improving the lives of millions of Kenyans, citing the construction of the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway as an example.

“I believe the coming years will mark another milestone in the development of our bilateral relations, and I look forward to working more closely with Your Excellency to push forward our Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership for further accomplishments,” President Kenyatta said.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang sent his warm congratulations to Xi, saying he believed that under the leadership of Xi as Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, China will realize the goal of building the country into a prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful socialist country.

Vietnam highly values its all-round cooperative relations with China, and regards it as the strategic choice and top priority of Vietnam’s foreign policy, said Quang.

Quang also said he hopes the two countries can enhance cooperation in broad areas and promote the steady, sound, and in-depth development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China.

Xi Jinping is elected chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China at the fifth plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 17, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit

The president of Laos said he firmly believes that, under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party with Xi at the core, China will make historic achievements in the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Vorachit also wished that the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries can make in-depth development and yield fruitful results.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

Moon hoped that China could fulfill the Chinese dream under the leadership of President Xi and make an even greater contribution to the peace and development of Northeast Asia and the world.

"You (Xi) sent special envoys to attend the opening and closing ceremonies of the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games, which made it a grand meeting of peace and harmony for the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia and the whole world. I really appreciate that," Moon said.

"This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-South Korea strategic partnership. I would like to work with you to start a new era for mature bilateral relations," he added.

Deputies to the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) are voting to elect state leaders at a plenary meeting of the first session of the 13th National People's Congress, Beijing, March 17, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Emperor Akihito

Abe noted that 2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Peace and Friendship between China and Japan, as well as the 40th anniversary of China's reform and opening up.

"Over the past 40 years, China has made remarkable achievements. Japan and China have developed extensive cooperation. I hope this year could be an opportunity for the two countries to further improve our bilateral relations and take a new step forward."

Japan's Emperor Akihito also congratulated Xi on his election as Chinese president.

Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen

Yameen said that Xi's election is a full approval of his leadership which allowed China to achieve great developments during the past five years.

"It represents the firm confidence of China's people to achieve the 'two hundred years' goal' and to fulfill the Chinese dream under your leadership," Yameen said.

"China will achieve greater developments and bring more opportunities for the world to realize common development under your wise leadership," Yameen added.

Leaders from countries including Singapore, Austria, Zimbabwe, Palestine and Bangladesh also sent their congratulations to Xi.