BEIJING - President Hu Jintao sent a congratulatory message to President Salva Kiir Mayardit Saturday on the official founding of the Republic of South Sudan and his inauguration as the first president of the country.

In his message, Hu sincerely wished the newly-founded country success on its path of national construction and development.

The founding of South Sudan is the common aspiration of the South Sudanese people and their own decision, Hu said, voicing hope that the new nation will become a positive force in safeguarding peace and stability and promoting common development.

South Sudan voted to secede from the north in a referendum in January, and the Republic of South Sudan was founded Saturday.

After friendly consultations, the south and the north reached agreements on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the referendum results, opening up a new chapter in south-north relations, Hu said.

Though far apart, the peoples of China and South Sudan enjoy a deep traditional friendship and have the common aspiration to strengthen friendly exchanges, Hu said.

China respects the political system and development path the South Sudanese have chosen, he said. China also stands ready to establish and develop friendly and cooperative relations with the new nation based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence, the Chinese president said.