Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa in Lisbon, Portugal, Dec. 4, 2018. (XIE HUANCHI / XINHUA)

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on his re-election as president of Portugal.

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In the message, Xi said China-Portugal relations have stood the test of the COVID-19 pandemic since last year.

The traditional friendship between the two countries has shown new vitality, Xi said, adding that anti-pandemic and public health cooperation has made new strides while practical cooperation has continued to make new progress.

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Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Portugal relations, and stands ready to work with Rebelo de Sousa to push for new achievements in bilateral ties in a bid to benefit the two countries and peoples.