BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently congratulated Raimonds Vejonis on being elected Latvia's new president.

In his message, Xi said China and Latvia have been enhancing political mutual trust, deepening pragmatic cooperation in a variety of areas and maintaining good communication and coordination in international and regional affairs since the two countries forged diplomatic ties 24 years ago.

Xi said he attaches great importance to the development of the China-Latvia relations and will work with Vejonis to obtain more tangible results in bilateral exchanges and cooperation to benefit the two countries and the two peoples.

Vejonis, 48, a former defense minister, was elected Latvia's new president at an extraordinary parliament session on June 3.