BEIJING, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to Barham Salih on his election as Iraqi president.

In the message, Xi said he is pleased to see that in recent years China and Iraq, sharing a tradition of friendship, have deepened their political mutual trust, rapidly developed their pragmatic cooperation and forged closer people-to-people exchanges.

Xi expressed his hope that under Salih's leadership, Iraq can progress in its political reconciliation and economic rebuilding, and will make strides in pursuing a development path suited to its own national conditions.

"I attach great importance to China-Iraq relations, and I am willing to work with you by taking the opportunity of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Iraq to promote greater development in our strategic partnership and bring benefits to the two nations and peoples," Xi said.

On Oct. 2, the Iraqi parliament elected Salih as the country's new president.