President Xi Jinping sent a message of sympathy to Polish President Andrzej Duda on Monday over his infection with the COVID-19 virus, and wished him a speedy recovery.

In his message, Xi said that since the COVID-19 pandemic started, China and Poland have supported each other and joined hands in fighting the virus, which has deepened their traditional friendship.

Xi said that he highly values developing China-Poland relations and is ready to work with Duda to bring the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership to a new level.

He also expressed his hope that the Polish people could defeat the virus at an early date.

Last week, Pawel Szrot, the top aide of Duda, said on social media that the Polish president had tested positive for COVID-19 but had no serious symptoms and was under medical observation.

Duda had previously tested positive in October 2020.