BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Patrick Herminie on his election as president of Republic of Seychelles.

Noting that China and Seychelles have a traditional friendship, Xi said the two sides have supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and cooperation in areas such as infrastructure and green development has been fruitful.

Xi said that next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties, adding that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Seychelles relations.

Xi said he is ready to work with Herminie to take the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to continuously elevate the two countries' strategic partnership to higher levels and better benefit the two peoples.

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