BEIJING – President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Tuesday to Dharam Gokhool on his election as president of Mauritius, and also extended his congratulations to John Dramani Mahama on his election as president of Ghana.

In his congratulatory message to Gokhool, Xi noted that Mauritius is an important partner of China in Africa and said that bilateral relations have been upgraded to a strategic partnership with concerted efforts of both sides.

Under the new circumstances, the two countries shoulder the historic mission of national rejuvenation and share the same responsibility in safeguarding international fairness and justice, Xi said, adding the cooperation between the two sides has great potential and a promising future.

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Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and stands ready to work with Gokhool to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, enhance political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation in various fields and push for greater development of bilateral relations.

Gokhool was unanimously elected as the new president of the Republic of Mauritius at a session of the National Assembly on Dec 6. The electoral process for the Mauritian presidency is indirect. The President is elected by the members of the National Assembly.

On Wednesday, Xi sent a congratulatory message to Ghanaian President-elect Mahama, noting that Ghana is one of the first countries in sub-Saharan Africa to establish diplomatic ties with China and is also an important strategic partner of China in Africa.

Xi said that the China-Ghana friendship has a long history and has been strengthened over time.

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In recent years, bilateral relations have enjoyed a sound momentum of development, with fruitful practical cooperation in various fields, he said.

Also in the message, Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Ghana relations and stands ready to work with Mahama to carry forward the traditional friendship, deepen political mutual trust, and promote the China-Ghana strategic partnership to be deeper and more solid, so as to bring more benefits to the two peoples.

Mahama was declared winner of the presidential election in Ghana on Dec 9 after securing 56.55 percent of the total valid votes.