President Xi Jinping extended congratulations on Thursday to Hakainde Hichilema on his reelection as president of Zambia, calling for joint efforts to guide the China-Zambia comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to new heights and bring greater benefits to the two peoples.

In his congratulatory message, Xi noted that they have met twice in recent years, jointly steering the development of China-Zambia relations.

Political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, practical cooperation has yielded fruitful results, and the two countries have maintained close coordination and cooperation in multilateral affairs, he said.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Zambia relations, and he expressed his readiness to work with Hichilema to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, carry forward traditional friendship, cement mutual support, and continuously elevate the level of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Hichilema, 64, was declared the winner of Zambia's presidential election on Tuesday, securing a second five-year term, after he won over 50 percent of the vote, according to the Electoral Commission of Zambia. He was first elected in 2021.

Contact the writers at jihaisheng@chinadaily.com.cn