Leaders express confidence that China will achieve greater prosperity

Congratulations have been pouring in from around the world since Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president by a unanimous vote on Saturday at the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

Xi was also unanimously elected chairman of the Central Military Commission.

In their congratulatory messages, leaders of foreign countries, political parties and organizations expressed confidence that under Xi's leadership, China will achieve greater prosperity and make more contributions to world peace and development.

The following is an edited version of some of the messages.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena congratulated Xi on his election, saying he firmly believes that under the capable leadership of Xi, Sri Lanka and China will strengthen their confidence in cooperation and push for all-around development of bilateral relations.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said maintaining the sound and stable development of bilateral relations between India and China, the world's two most populous countries, is of vital importance to the peace, development and prosperity of all mankind.

Modi said that based on the important consensus reached at the BRICS Xiamen Summit last September, India looks forward to working with China to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.

BRICS groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. The ninth BRICS Summit was held in China's eastern coastal city of Xiamen in Fujian province on Sept 3-5.

Xi's unanimous election has fully demonstrated the people's absolute trust in his excellent leadership, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said, adding that under the wise leadership of Xi, China will continue to prosper and successfully become a great modern socialist country.

Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow said that based on the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit, Turkmenistan attaches great importance to the continued development of cooperation with China.

He further expressed his firm belief that China will achieve even greater success under Xi's brilliant and visionary leadership, and relations between the two countries will reach a higher level.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko noted that with Xi's leadership, professionalism and charisma being highly recognized, Xi's election as Chinese president is a powerful indicator that he has won the highest level of trust.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Xi's election shows Chinese people's vote of confidence in his excellent leadership, under which Ramaphosa firmly believes that China will become a leading country that exerts a positive influence on the world.

He expressed the confidence that South Africa-China cooperation will be further expanded and deepened, with a brighter future being ushered in the bilateral relations. Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika said the Chinese people, during the past five years, have scored tremendous achievements in various fields under the enlightened guidance of Xi, whose election is a full affirmation of his wisdom and vision.

He believes that under the competent leadership of Xi, the Chinese people will surely gain greater achievements on the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Senegalese President Macky Sall said his country is glad to see Xi's election as Chinese president, adding that he is willing to join Xi in pushing forward the development of the two countries' friendly relationship - one that Senegal views as a priority - as well as their active cooperation in various fields.

Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome expressed his sincere congratulations to Xi on the latter's election as Chinese president.

He said he believes that China, under Xi's leadership, will make greater achievements in economic development as well as scientific and technological progress, and make greater contributions to peace and development in the world.

Belgian King Philippe sent his warm congratulations to Xi, saying the development of Belgium-China relations, taken care of by Xi personally, has kept moving forward.

The king added that he is firmly convinced that thanks to the mutual trust and profound friendship between Belgium and China, the two countries will see a further deepening of their political and trade relations as well as people-to-people exchanges.

Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez expressed his "most sincere congratulations" to Xi on his unanimous election as Chinese president. He said he believes that the friendly relations between Uruguay and China will further deepen and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Cecile La Grenade, governor-general of Grenada, said that in addition to bringing more benefits to people in China and around the world, Xi's election is conducive to promoting mutual respect and understanding between China and Grenada and deepening the friendship between the two peoples.

Noting that China has been Vanuatu's closest partner and friend since the two countries established diplomatic relationship, Vanuatuan President Tallis Obed Moses said Xi's election brings hope for stability and prosperity both in the Pacific island country and around the world.

US President Donald Trump congratulated Xi on his re-election in other ways, China Central Television news reported.

Xinhua - China Daily