President Xi Jinping extended congratulations on Friday to Nizar Amedi on assuming office as Iraq's new president, and expressed his willingness to work with Amedi to promote bilateral ties.

In his congratulatory message, Xi noted that China and Iraq share a deep-rooted traditional friendship.

He said that in recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has been continuously strengthened and both sides have consistently supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, achieving positive results in economic, trade and energy cooperation.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Iraq relations, Xi said he is willing to work with Amedi to elevate the strategic partnership between the two countries to new heights and bring more benefits to the peoples of both countries.

Amedi was elected as Iraq's new president on April 18. He previously held the post of Iraq's environment minister from 2022 to 2024, and also acted as an adviser to former Iraqi presidents, Xinhua News Agency reported.

In another development, Xi extended congratulations on Friday to Romuald Wadagni on his election as president of the Republic of Benin.

In his congratulatory message, Xi noted that China and the West African country share a traditional friendship.

In recent years, the two countries have deepened political mutual trust and firmly supported each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, he said, adding that friendly cooperation across various fields has made solid progress and delivered tangible benefits to the two peoples.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Benin relations, Xi said that he stands ready to work with Wadagni to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and advance the China-Benin strategic partnership to new heights.

Wadagni, 49, won Benin's presidential election with over 94 percent of valid votes, according to the country's Constitutional Court. He will be sworn in to his constitutional duties on May 24.