Statesmen hail general secretary's election

　　The 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China holds its first plenary session in Beijing on Sunday, Oct 23, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

　　Heads of state from a number of countries have congratulated Xi Jinping on his election as general secretary of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Sunday.

　　Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a congratulatory message to Xi on Sunday, saying that the results of the 20th CPC National Congress "fully confirmed your high political authority and the unity of the party you head".

　　"I am certain that the resolutions of the congress will help successfully implement the grand social and economic tasks facing China, and will assist in strengthening the country's position on the international arena," Putin said in a news release on the website of the Kremlin.

　　"It would be a pleasure for me to carry on our constructive dialogue and close joint work to develop the relations of comprehensive partnership and strategic alliance between our two states," he added.

　　South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is also president of South Africa's governing African National Congress party, said the 20th CPC National Congress has charted the direction forward for the new journey of the Party and the nation.

　　He said he believed that the CPC will work together with the progressive forces in the world to continuously promote global equality, justice, peace and development.

　　Argentine President Alberto Fernandez, also president of the country's Justicialist Party, said that China, led by Xi, has secured tremendous achievements in various aspects and greatly lifted the living standards of the Chinese people, setting an example for countries in the world.

　　He expressed his wish that China can continue to attain more glories under Xi's leadership.

　　South Sudanese President Salva Kiir said he and his party, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, will stay committed to working with the CPC and continuously developing the friendship between the two nations and two parties.

　　Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko congratulated Xi on his reelection, which he said reflected Xi's high authority and the staunch support of the more than 96 million CPC members.

　　He said he believed that the CPC's goal of building a strong socialist nation in all respects will certainly be realized.

　　Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said that Xi's election proved there is a high level of support for him from all Chinese people, adding that he is willing to work with Xi to further deepen the bilateral permanent comprehensive strategic partnership.

　　Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov said the election results from the 20th CPC National Congress demonstrate a high level of trust and support for Xi from the Party and the Chinese people, and Kyrgyzstan stands ready to continue deepening cooperation with China and keeping the bilateral relations moving forward.

　　Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov said the 20th CPC National Congress showed that the Chinese people trust their leader completely.

　　The Chinese people have completely supported the policies of the CPC, led by Xi, for realizing national modernization and rejuvenation and enhancing public well-being, he said.

　　Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, also president of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban are also among leaders who have sent congratulatory messages to Xi.