BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent a congratulatory message on Tuesday to Peter Shanel Agovaka on his assuming office as Solomon Islands' minister of foreign affairs and external trade.

In the message, Wang said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties five years ago, China and the Solomon Islands, under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, have continuously deepened mutual political trust, achieved fruitful results in mutually beneficial cooperation, and forged a comprehensive strategic partnership featuring mutual respect and common development for a new era, which has greatly improved the well-being of the two peoples and promoted regional stability, development and prosperity.

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Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, added that China attaches great importance to developing relations with the Solomon Islands and looks forward to further deepening bilateral dialogue and communication with the Solomon Islands, vigorously promoting practical cooperation in various fields, strengthening coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, so as to push bilateral ties to a new level.