Xi celebrates 50 years of relations with Mauritius

President Xi Jinping and Mauritian President Prithvirajsing Roopun exchanged congratulatory messages on Friday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Mauritius diplomatic ties.

Xi said in his message that bilateral ties have developed soundly and steadily over the past five decades, the traditional friendship between the two countries has grown even more solid and bilateral cooperation has continued to deepen.

In addition, the peoples of the two countries have helped each other overcome difficulties resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating their deep friendly feelings, Xi said.

Xi emphasized that he attaches great importance to bilateral ties, and that he hopes to work with Roopun to take the anniversary as an opportunity to enhance the traditional friendship between the two countries, expand mutually beneficial cooperation and promote shared development.

Roopun said in his message that ties between the two countries have become even closer since the bilateral free trade agreement took effect in 2021, and he expects both sides to consolidate and expand their cooperation and deepen their friendship and mutual trust.

The free trade agreement, the first China has signed with an African country, is expected to improve the well-being of the peoples of the two countries and assist post-pandemic economic recovery.