BEIJING, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday congratulated Sylvanie Burton on taking office as president of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

In his message, Xi described Dominica as China's sincere friend and reliable partner in the Caribbean region.

Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations, China and Dominica have always treated each other as equals and supported each other with political mutual trust consolidating, practical cooperation yielding fruitful results and friendship between the two peoples deepening, he said.

China applauds Dominica's unremitting support for China's just position on issues involving China's core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

"I highly prize the development of bilateral relations and am willing to work with President Burton to take next year's 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to lift bilateral friendly relations to higher levels so as to deliver more benefits to both peoples," said the Chinese president.