President Xi Jinping and Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali exchanged congratulations on Monday on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Guyana, with both leaders vowing to strengthen bilateral ties.

In a congratulatory message sent to his Guyanese counterpart, Xi said that since the two countries established diplomatic relations 50 years ago, bilateral ties have made great headway with deepened political mutual trust and fruitful pragmatic cooperation.

Xi mentioned the countries' mutual support and assistance in fighting COVID-19 since the pandemic started, saying they have written a new chapter of China-Guyana friendship.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of ties with Guyana, Xi said that he is willing to work with Ali to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to take bilateral ties to a new stage to benefit the two countries and their peoples.

Ali said in his message to Xi that as the first English-speaking country in the Caribbean region to establish diplomatic relations with China, Guyana firmly follows the one-China policy.

Over the past 50 years, Ali said the two countries have been respecting each other, treating each other as equals and developing mutually beneficial cooperation, and their traditional friendship has stood the test of time.

Guyana stands ready to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to constantly intensify the friendship between the two countries, he added.