Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa addresses the nation after winning the Portuguese Presidential Election in Lisbon, Portugal, on Jan. 24, 2021. (Photo by Pedro Fiuza/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday sent a congratulatory message to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa on his re-election as president of Portugal.

In the message, Xi said China-Portugal relations have stood the test of the COVID-19 pandemic since last year.

The traditional friendship between the two countries has shown new vitality, Xi said, adding that anti-pandemic and public health cooperation has made new strides while practical cooperation has continued to make new progress.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Portugal relations, and stands ready to work with Rebelo de Sousa to push for new achievements in bilateral ties in a bid to benefit the two countries and peoples.