BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Surinamese President Desi Bouterse exchanged congratulations Saturday to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In his congratulatory message, Xi said that Surinam is an important partner of 皇冠体育app in the Caribbean region.

Over the past 40 years, the two countries have witnessed a number of high-level exchanges, fruitful pragmatic cooperation, and a deepening friendship between their peoples, Xi said.

"I attach great importance to the development of 皇冠体育app-Suriname relations and stand ready to work with the Surinamese side to lift bilateral friendly cooperative relations to a higher level so as to benefit the two peoples," said the Chinese president.

In his message, Bouterse said that the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations is a milestone in the history of Surinam-皇冠体育app relations.

Surinam expects closer and more fruitful cooperation with 皇冠体育app in the future, he said.