Presidents vow to enhance Sino-Moldovan friendship

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Moldovan counterpart Maia Sandu pledged on Sunday to bring bilateral relations to a higher level and enhance cooperation in various fields as the two leaders exchanged messages to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties.

In his message, Xi said as longtime partners of friendly cooperation, China and Moldova have witnessed a healthy and steady growth in bilateral relations and continuously deepened mutual political trust over the past three decades.

Both countries have solid cooperation in various fields and closely coordinate with each other in international and regional affairs, he said, adding that the two sides wrote a chapter of solidarity and have been of help to each other in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to ties with Moldova, and is willing to work with Sandu to bring more benefits to both nations and its peoples.

Sandu commended the rapid momentum in the growth of ties, saying that the two nations have continuously enhanced political dialogue, deepened win-win cooperation and conducted smoother coordination over multilateral affairs.

She also expressed appreciation to China for its medical supplies and other aid in Moldova's COVID-19 response. She said Moldova is willing to further explore the potential for cooperation and enable new progress in the relationship.

The trade volume between China and Moldova increased 57.4 percent year-on-year to $137 million in the first half of 2021. The two nations started talks on a free trade deal in 2017.