BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Daniel Noboa on his election as president of the Republic of Ecuador.

In his message, Xi said that Ecuador is an important country in Latin America.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties 43 years ago, the two countries have seen close high-level exchanges, deepened political mutual trust, fruitful cooperation results in various fields and profound traditional friendship, Xi said.

Noting that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Ecuador relations, Xi said he stands ready to work with President-elect Noboa to continuously enrich the China-Ecuador comprehensive strategic partnership and better benefit their people.