President Hu Jintao on Thursday sent a message to Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulating him on his reelection.

 

"On the occasion of Your Excellency's reelection as president of Belarus, I wish to extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes to you," Hu said in the congratulatory message.

 

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 14 years ago, bilateral ties have developed smoothly, marked by frequent exchanges of high-level visits, ever deepening of political mutual trust, gradual expansion of trade and economic cooperation as well as fruitful cooperation in other fields, the message said.

 

Hu also said China respects Belarus' option for its development road and domestic and foreign policies according to the country's situation.

 

Hu said he hoped the two countries would develop a long-term, stable, cooperative and friendly relationship of highly mutual trust and coordination based on the five principles of peaceful coexistence.

 

"I believe under the joint efforts of the two sides, the Sino-Belarus ties will achieve new fruits and bring benefit to the two countries and the two peoples," Hu added.

 

According to the preliminary official vote count, Lukashenko won a new five-year term with nearly 83 percent of the vote. Final results were expected to be announced later Thursday.

 

(Xinhua News Agency March 24, 2006)