Highlights of foreign congratulatory messages on Xi's election as Chinese president

BEIJING -- Congratulations are pouring in from around the world after Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president by a unanimous vote on Saturday at the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's national legislature.

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

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.

On behalf of the Cuban people, the Cuban Communist Party and the Cuban government, Raul Castro, president of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba, extended his warmest congratulations to Xi.

Based on the close friendship and political mutual trust between the two countries, the Cuban side is willing to continue to strengthen Cuba-China relations, Castro said.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said that Xi's election as Chinese president has fully demonstrated that his remarkable achievements and wise leadership have been fully recognized and supported by the Chinese people.

The friendship between the two countries is highly valued by the Afghan side, Ghani said, adding that Afghanistan looks forward to working with China to further deepen bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said that Xi's election will play a significant role in pushing forward bilateral ties.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said Xi's successful election as president has fully testified to the firm confidence of China and the Chinese people in Xi's leadership and grand vision for the future.

He said relations between the Philippines and China are constantly showing new vigor and vitality, and it is believed that the mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries will be further strengthened.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi wished Xi the best of luck in his work, and the friendly Chinese people continuous progress and development.

The Egyptian side highly appreciates the strong Egypt-China relations, and is looking forward to continuously strengthening and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of the two peoples, al-Sisi said.

On behalf of the Saudi government and people, as well as in his own name, Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud extended his warmest congratulations and sincerest blessing to Xi, wishing the friendly Chinese people continuous progress and development.

The Saudi king said he highly appreciates the strong relations between the two countries and peoples, and is willing to further promote the development of bilateral cooperation in various fields.

Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said the Kuwaiti side is ready to further enhance the traditional friendship between the two countries for mutual benefits. He also wished a greater development of the strong and friendly relations between the two countries.

Czech President Milos Zeman said he believes that China will see a more brilliant and splendid future under the leadership of Xi.

China is one of the most important partners of the Czech Republic, with concrete results constantly being yielded by the strategic cooperative partnership of the two countries, Zeman said, noting that he looks forward to further enhancing the two countries' strategic partnership to benefit the two peoples.