Xi congratulates Dan on election as Romanian president

President Xi Jinping has sent a congratulatory message to Nicusor Dan on his election as Romanian president, expressing willingness to make concerted efforts to write a new chapter in bilateral friendly cooperation for the greater benefit of both nations and peoples.

In the message, which was sent on Thursday, Xi noted that Romania was the third country to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, and said that he attached great importance to the development of bilateral ties.

Over the years, China and Romania have enjoyed an enduring traditional friendship, treating each other with mutual respect and equality while steadily advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said.

The bilateral trade volume reached $13.5 billion last year, marking a year-on-year increase of 27.4 percent, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

As the world undergoes profound changes at an accelerated pace, Xi said that China and Romania, as good friends and partners, should further strengthen communication, build up consensuses and deepen cooperation to jointly seize opportunities and respond to risks and challenges.

Dan, 55, the mayor of Bucharest and an independent candidate, secured victory in Romania's presidential runoff election on Sunday. His win was officially validated by Romania's Constitutional Court on Thursday.

In accordance with Romanian law, Dan is expected to be sworn in during a joint session of Parliament.

Xinhua contributed to this story.