Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, was elected as the new president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic at the ninth legislature of the Lao National Assembly on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, sent a congratulatory message on Tuesday to Thongloun Sisoulith, general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, on his election as the new president of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

The inaugural session of the ninth legislature of the Lao National Assembly on Monday elected Thongloun as president, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Xi said in his message that China and Laos are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers, and the relations between the two parties and between the two countries have developed to be increasingly stronger since the start of bilateral diplomatic ties 60 years ago.

In recent years, the bilateral traditional friendship has achieved new progress, strategic mutual trust has reached higher levels, pragmatic cooperation has taken new steps forward and bilateral ties have entered a new era of building a community with a shared future, Xi said.

Since last year, the two countries have joined hands in the fight against COVID-19, further fulfilling the spirit of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and have deepened their brotherly friendship, Xi said.

Xi said he is ready to work with Thongloun to further expand the comprehensive strategic cooperation between China and Laos, promote the well-being and friendship of the two peoples, and push forward the building of the China-Laos community with a shared future to a greater height.

Premier Li Keqiang sent a message on Tuesday congratulating Phankham Viphavanh on his election as prime minister of Laos.

Phankham Viphavanh is a member of the Political Bureau of the LPRP Central Committee.