Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Thursday that he stands ready to work with his Equatorial Guinean counterpart, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to keep pushing bilateral relations to a new level.

In an exchange of congratulatory messages with Obiang, Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Equatorial Guinea relations and is willing to work with Obiang to consolidate political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, so as to bring benefits to the two countries and their peoples.

He pointed out that China and Equatorial Guinea enjoy deep traditional friendship, saying that since the establishment of their diplomatic ties 50 years ago, the two sides have always been sincere and friendly towards each other, and staunchly supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and of major concern, no matter how the international landscape has changed.

The bilateral practical cooperation has been fruitful and brought real benefits to the peoples of the two countries, he added.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi noted, China and African countries, including Equatorial Guinea, have stood together to fight the pandemic and do everything they can to protect people's lives, which has enriched the China-Africa friendship.

Obiang, in his congratulatory message, said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, the two countries have marched forward hand in hand, and have always maintained mutual understanding, coordination, and mutual support, with their bilateral cooperation in various fields achieving fruitful results.

Equatorial Guinea and China share similar setbacks in history, said Obiang, adding that at a time when the international community is facing major challenges, the two countries uphold a common position to safeguard the principles of multilateralism, dialogue and consultation, as well as non-interference in other countries' internal affairs, and to safeguard common interests.

He noted that Equatorial Guinea is satisfied with the development of bilateral relations, and is willing to work with China to keep expanding cooperation and further consolidate the friendly relations between the two countries.