BEIJING - Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Friday congratulated Francisco Carvalho on assuming office as the prime minister of Cabo Verde.

In his message, Li said that China and Cabo Verde have a long-standing friendship. As early as during Cabo Verde's struggle for national liberation, the two peoples forged a profound friendship.

Over the past half century, the two countries have been steadfast in upholding mutual respect, equality and common development, and their fruitful cooperation across various fields has delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Li voiced readiness to work with Carvalho and take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries as an opportunity to deepen political mutual trust, leverage the zero-tariff policy to expand practical cooperation and strengthen solidarity and coordination so as to make steady progress in advancing the China-Cabo Verde strategic partnership.