President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message on Wednesday to Andras Baka on his assuming office as president of Hungary, expressing hope that the two countries will deepen political mutual trust and practical cooperation across various areas.

Xi noted that Hungary, one of the first countries to recognize the People's Republic of China, shares a long-standing traditional friendship with China.

Over the past 77 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, China and Hungary have always upheld mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, and have achieved fruitful results in cooperation across various fields, he said.

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Xi said that he attaches great importance to developing China-Hungary relations and stands ready to work with Baka to carry forward the traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation across various fields.

He called for promoting the steady and long-term development of the all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership for the new era between China and Hungary, in order to bring greater benefits to the two peoples.

Baka, 73, a former Supreme Court chief, took office on Wednesday after Hungary's National Assembly elected him as the country's new president on Aug 11, according to an official news release issued on Wednesday by the Hungarian presidential office.

Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn