Chinese President Xi Jinping has expressed readiness to raise bilateral relations with Armenia to a new level. Xi made the remarks in a congratulatory message he sent to Armenian President Armen Sarkissian on his birthday Wednesday, June 23.

The President of China stressed that Armenia is one of Beijing's traditionally friendly countries. In particular, he noted that in 2020 China and Armenia fought hand in hand against the coronavirus, which he said was a new impetus for the development of bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.

"I attach great importance to the development of Chinese-Armenian relations, I am ready to make efforts with you to raise bilateral relations to a new level for the benefit of our countries and peoples," Xi's message reads.

The first mentions of Armenian-Chinese contacts go back to the 5th and 6th centuries. China officially recognized the Republic of Armenia on December 27, 1991, three months after Armenia broke away from the Soviet Union as an independent state. Diplomatic relations between Armenia and the People's Republic of China were established on April 6, 1992.