Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan of Armenia on Tuesday sent congratulatory messages to President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang of China the occasion of the Chinese New Year.

The message to Xi Jinping states as follows, in particular: “The traditional friendly ties between Armenia and China have a rich history and are distinguished by mutual trust and great respect. Armenia attaches great importance to the continuous strengthening and deepening of relations with China, the raising of which to a strategic level creates new opportunities for both countries. I am confident that the efforts made to further develop relations between our countries will enrich the framework of strategic partnership with ambitious goals and new programs.”

And the message addressed to Li Qiang reads as follows, in part: “The relations between Armenia and China, which have reached the level of strategic partnership, based on traditional close ties, mutual respect and mutual trust, have steadily developed and strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic relations, and Armenia is ready to make every effort to further deepen them. I am confident that in the future, our bilateral relations will continue to expand, recording new achievements.”