BEIJING -- President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Joseph Aoun on assuming the presidency of Lebanon.

Noting that China and Lebanon enjoy a traditional friendship, Xi said that bilateral relations have maintained a sound momentum of development in recent years, with enhanced political mutual trust and deepened friendship between the two peoples.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Lebanon ties and is ready to work with President Aoun to promote the friendly relations between the two countries and mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields, so as to better benefit the two peoples.

China will, as always, firmly support Lebanon in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and continue to provide assistance within its capacity for Lebanon's economic development and improvement of people's livelihood, Xi said.