BEIJING, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday congratulated Abelardo de la Espriella on his election as president of Colombia.

Noting that China and Colombia are strategic partners, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties 46 years ago, China-Colombia relations have withstood changes in the international landscape and maintained sound momentum for development.

Political mutual trust has continued to deepen, the friendship between the two peoples has grown stronger, and high-quality Belt and Road cooperation has yielded steady new progress, he said.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Colombia relations and stands ready to work with President-elect De la Espriella to further deepen exchanges and cooperation across various fields, advance the China-Colombia strategic partnership to a new level, and deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.

Also on Monday, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng sent a congratulatory message to Jose Manuel Restrepo Abondano, vice president-elect of Colombia.