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BEIJING, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday exchanged congratulatory messages with Papua New Guinea (PNG) Governor-General Michael Ogio on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

In his message, Xi said since China and PNG established diplomatic ties in 1976, bilateral ties have witnessed remarkable progress.

When Xi met met with visiting PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill in Beijing in July, the two sides reiterated the need to consolidate and develop their strategic partnership on the basis of mutual respect and joint development.

Favorable opportunities have come for the development of bilateral relations, said Xi, voicing China's willingness to work with PNG to strengthen cooperations in various fields, lift bilateral ties to a higher level and bring more benefits to the two countries and peoples.

Ogio said in his message that PNG's socioeconomic development has been supported by China since the establishment of their diplomatic relations 40 years ago.

He noted that PNG will continue to adhere to the one-China policy and actively develop relations with China.

Expressing satisfaction with his country's friendly ties with China over the last 40 years, Ogio expects further advancement in the development of bilateral relations in the coming 40 years.