President Xi Jinping and Vanuatuan President Tallis Obed Moses exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

In his message, Xi said that since China and Vanuatu, a Pacific island country, established diplomatic ties four decades ago, bilateral relations have been tested by the changing international situation, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, and bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various fields have yielded fruitful results, bringing tangible benefits to the people of both countries.

The two nations have helped each other and fought side by side against the COVID-19 pandemic, which has deepened their friendship, Xi said.

In addition, he said, China-Vanuatu relations have become an example of mutual respect, solidarity and coordination between developing countries.

Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu relations, saying that he is ready to work with Moses to take the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations as a new starting point to deepen and expand bilateral dialogue, exchanges and cooperation in various fields in order to push the China-Vanuatu comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level for the benefit of the two countries and their people.

The Vanuatuan president said China has been an important partner for development as well as a permanent and reliable friend of Vanuatu in the past 40 years.

Vanuatu firmly adheres to the one-China policy and looks forward to taking the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vanuatu and China as an opportunity to constantly push forward bilateral relations, he said.

Moses said he would like to congratulate the Communist Party of China on its great achievements since its founding more than 100 years ago and to wish the 20th National Congress of the CPC, to be held later this year, a great success.

Premier Li Keqiang and Vanuatuan Prime Minister Bob Loughman also exchanged congratulatory messages on Saturday.

In his message, Li said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Vanuatu ties and stands ready to work with Vanuatu to take the 40th anniversary of bilateral ties as an opportunity to enhance the synergy of the two countries' development strategies and tap the potential of practical cooperation, in order to push for new and even greater development of the bilateral ties.

In his message, Loughman said Vanuatu highly values the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership, cherishes their fruitful cooperation and sincerely appreciates China's continuous support for its national development.

Vanuatu is willing to work with China to expand cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and enhance coordination in multilateral areas to continuously deepen the two countries' relations.

Xinhua