Xi greets Touadera on reelection as president

President Xi Jinping extended congratulations on Tuesday to Faustin-Archange Touadera on his reelection as president of the Central African Republic, pledging to push for new progress in the two countries' strategic partnership.

The Constitutional Council of the Central African Republic on Monday proclaimed the final results of the presidential election on Dec 28. Touadera, who has been in office since 2016, will begin his third term following the victory.

Xi said in his message that China and the Central African Republic have continued to deepen political mutual trust in recent years.

The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, and steadily advanced exchanges and cooperation across various fields, he said.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, Xi said he would like to work with Touadera to actively implement the outcomes of the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

China stands ready to push ahead with the continuous upgrading of the two countries' strategic partnership to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Touadera, 68, focused his campaign on restoring peace and promoting development. In the buildup to the election, he signed peace deals with major rebel groups, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Since China and the Central African Republic resumed diplomatic ties in 1998, bilateral trade cooperation has gradually recovered.