Highlights of foreign congratulatory messages on Xi's election as Chinese president (11)

BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- Congratulations have been pouring in from around the world since Xi Jinping was elected Chinese president by a unanimous vote last week at the annual session of the National People's Congress, China's national legislature.

Xi was also unanimously elected chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC).

In their congratulatory messages, leaders of foreign countries, political parties and organizations expressed confidence that under Xi's leadership, China will achieve greater prosperity and make more contributions to world peace and development.

The following is an edited version of some of the messages.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said Xi's election represents the Chinese people's confidence in his leadership.

President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo said he believes that Xi's far-sighted leadership will push China further forward in its economic and social development, benefiting itself, Africa and the world at large.

President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) expressed the hope for promoting UAE-China relations so as to better benefit the two countries and peoples.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir wished China greater achievements under Xi's leadership, which he believes will enable China to realize national rejuvenation.

European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said China is one of the most important strategic partners of the European Union (EU).

The two EU leaders said they firmly believe that the EU-China relationship, based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, will facilitate cooperation between both sides to address economic, security and other common challenges against the backdrop of globalization.

President of Iceland Gudni Johannesson said the people of Iceland cherish their friendship with the Chinese people, and expressed willingness to further advance mutually beneficial cooperation with China.

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev said he believes Xi will continue to achieve success as Chinese president and make greater contributions in promoting China's development and the Chinese people's well-being.

Radev said he is willing to work with Xi to bring bilateral ties to a new high.

Swiss President Alain Berset extended his sincere congratulations to Xi on his election as Chinese president and hoped the Switzerland-China ties and friendship will be further strengthened in the future.

Prime Minister of Barbados Freundel Stuart said under Xi's leadership, China will definitely make more achievements in its development.

President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Thomas Bach said Xi's election as Chinese president reflects the Chinese people's trust in him and his thought on governance.

Bach added that the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will demonstrate China's modernization to the world and open a new chapter for the Olympic development in China.

Director-General of the World Health Organization Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he believes that Xi will lead China to build a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful in the new era.

Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Francis Gurry said he believes that under Xi's leadership, China will make greater achievements and the sound cooperative relations between WIPO and China will be further strengthened.

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister of Oman Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al-Said and President of the National Council for Coordination with Russia and China Tomislav Nikolic are also among those who sent their congratulatory messages or letters to Xi. Enditem