President Xi Jinping sent two messages on Sunday to Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, the new sultan of Oman — first a congratulatory message about his succession as sultan and second a message of condolence over the death of Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

In the congratulatory message, Xi said that since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries, bilateral relations had made significant progress and the two sides have become strategic partners with mutual trust.

He said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Oman relations and stands ready to work with Sultan Haitham to take the strategic partnership to a new level.

In his message of condolence, Xi extended sympathies from the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, to the family of Sultan Qaboos and the people of Oman.

Sultan Qaboos bin Said died on Friday at age 79, Oman's state media reported on Saturday.

Sultan Qaboos was a great leader of Oman and had made important contributions to the country's development, as well as to the peace and stability of the Middle East and the Gulf region, Xi said.

Calling him an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi said Sultan Qaboos had made positive contributions to advancing the China-Oman strategic partnership, facilitating practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields and deepening the friendship between the two peoples.

XINHUA—CHINA DAILY