MONROVIA - Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to new Chinese President Xi Jinping and promised stronger ties with China, according to a Foreign Ministry statement released on Friday.

In her message to the Chinese leader, President Sirleaf, on behalf of Liberia, extended heartfelt and profound congratulations to him and noted that his ascendancy is undoubtedly an affirmation of the continued confidence the people of China have reposed in his visionary and distinguished leadership to steer the affairs of that country.

President Sirleaf hoped that President Xi's term will be marked by even greater achievements both at home and abroad, adding that Liberia looks forward to deepening the bilateral relations between the two countries and peoples.

The Liberian leader expressed confidence that the ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between Liberia and China will continue to grow stronger as the two nations forge common front for the promotion of international peace, security and development.