President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulations on Thursday with Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi on the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations, with both leaders vowing to promote the countries' strategic partnership.

In a congratulatory message to Tshisekedi, Xi said that over the past half century, China-DRC relations have developed in a sound and stable manner, and the traditional friendship has been continuously deepened.

In recent years, the two countries have established a strategic partnership of win-win cooperation and achieved fruitful results in pragmatic cooperation, which has greatly improved the well-being of their people, he added.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with Tshisekedi to take the 50th anniversary as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, strengthen Belt and Road cooperation and jointly open up new prospects for China-DRC relations.

Tshisekedi once again extended warm congratulations on Xi's reelection as general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, saying that over the past 50 years, bilateral relations have achieved sustained and sound development.

He also said he is willing to deepen the traditional friendship between the two countries and push for new achievements in the strategic partnership between the DRC and China for the benefit of their people.