President Xi Jinping congratulated Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Thursday on his succession as emir of Kuwait, and expressed hopes of working with him to push forward bilateral ties.

In the congratulatory message to the new emir, Xi said since China and Kuwait established diplomatic ties in 1971, they have achieved sound development in their relationship and have become good friends of mutual trust and good partners of sincere cooperation.

Xi said he considers the development of China-Kuwait relations greatly important and stands ready to work with the new emir to advance the two countries' strategic partnership to benefit both nations and peoples.

Sheikh Nawaf, the former Kuwaiti crown prince, was named emir on Tuesday shortly after the previous emir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, died at the age of 91.

On Wednesday, Xi extended his condolences over the passing of the previous Kuwaiti emir.

Sheikh Nawaf served as interior minister from 1978 to 1988, when he was appointed minister of defense. In October 2003, a royal decree was issued to name him first deputy prime minister and minister of the interior.