Xi congratulates Hamid on presidential election win in Bangladesh

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message Wednesday to Abdul Hamid on his election as Bangladesh's new president.

In the message, Xi also said that China and Bangladesh have been close and friendly neighbors. Since 2010, when the two countries agreed to develop a closer comprehensive partnership of cooperation, bilateral relations have seen great progress.

China and Bangladesh have become trustworthy friends and good partners that maintain close cooperation, Xi said.

The Chinese side accords great importance to developing relations with Bangladesh and is ready to work with its neighbor to expand their relations and promote continuous development of ties, Xi added.

Hamid, speaker of Bangladesh's parliament, was elected unopposed on Monday as president, after the death of late president Zillur Rahman on March 20.

Hamid became the acting president on March 14 after Rahman fell sick and was flown to Singapore for treatment.